Master of Physiotherapy

Some tasks in Physiotherapy require effective verbal, non-verbal, reflective and non-verbal communication skills

Yes. Please contact AccessAbility to consider reasonable adjustments suitable for your situation.

What is Cultural sensitivity?

The sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences and diversity.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapist engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a variety of settings and this requires skills and competencies in cultural capability (e.g. management of individuals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background; care of patients following trauma; LGBTIQ).

What is engaging effectively?

Effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe delivery of care.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy requires effective communication with individuals for effective and safe practice. This includes establishing trust and rapport through verbal, non-verbal communication; engaging health professionals and carers to deliver co-ordinated clinical management. 

What is reflective practice?

The ability of an individual to engage in reflective practice that prompts an individual to review and adapt action according to feedback.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Students participate in reflective practice in order act on constructive feedback and build their professional skills (e.g. reflective practice journals for self- reflection; clinical placements).

Some tasks in Physiotherapy require strength and mobility, including: gross motor skills and fine motor skills.

Yes. Please contact RMIT Equitable Learning Services to consider reasonable adjustments suitable for your situation.

What are gross motor skills?

The use of large muscle groups that coordinate body movements and provide strength for activities such as lifting, pushing, pulling, walking and

maintaining balance.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a profession that involves physical demands and requires gross motor function to assess and treat patients and clients in a variety of health settings.

Students are assessed with respect to physical competency skills that are within the scope of physiotherapy practice (e.g. mobilising and transferring individuals; cardiopulmonary physiotherapy). Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.

What are fine motor skills?

The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands for activities such as writing and manipulating small objects.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a profession that requires manual dexterity and fine motor skills to perform the required level of care and to function within the scope of practice (e.g. joint mobilisation; suctioning; massage).

Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.

Physiotherapy practice requires ethical and professional conduct.

Yes. Please contact AccessAbility to consider reasonable adjustments suitable for your situation.

What is ethical behaviour?

The ability to comply with and be governed by quality and professional standards. Acting in ways consistent with the recognised RMIT student charter (Student Charter - RMIT University); Physiotherapy Profession Code of Conduct; values of society and avoiding activities that do harm.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a profession that is governed by a professional code of conduct, standards, guidelines and policies, in which physiotherapists are both accountable and responsible for ensuring safe and professional behaviour in all contexts (e.g. observing patient confidentiality; obtaining informed consent and the ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas ethically and with responsibility).

This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the SUT community and the Physiotherapy profession.

What is mental wellness and behavioural stability?

A state of well-being in which an individual can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively, maintaining consistent behaviour that is ethical and appropriate.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy practice requires Behavioural stability to work individually and in teams in diverse and changing environments

Physiotherapy students will be exposed to diverse situations that are sometimes challenging and unpredictable requiring adaptability, stability, maturity and agility for safe and effective functioning within healthcare environments (e.g. reflecting on practice and responding appropriately to constructive feedback during assessment, training and clinical practice; coping with peers, carers patents/clients).

Physiotherapy and practice requires both physical and cognitive performance at a consistent and sustained level.

What are cognitive skills and consistency?

The capacity and discipline to maintain a high level of cognitive and physical skills consistently performance over time.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy practice requires critical cognitive reasoning and problem-solving skills; and performance of physical intervention tasks (e.g. clinical reasoning to develop management plans; manual therapy).

What is adaptability and time management?

The ability to perform with focus and rigour in line in a timely manner that is responsive to the demands of the healthcare setting and patients/clients.

How is this relevant to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy practice requires time management and prioritisation skills when navigating clinical management in a variety of health settings (e.g. critical illness; chronic conditions).