Course content

Through this course, students will acquire expanded knowledge about the importance of different social structures and social mechanisms influencing people's health, and the practice of knowledge-based physiotherapy. The course emphasizes in particular how different social and social conditions interact and affect people's opportunities for activity and participation. Seen in such a societal and public health context, and based on recent research and relevant theories, different approaches in physiotherapy practice will be discussed and analyzed. Key topics addressed in the course are; physiotherapy as a field of knowledge, the importance of social inequality in health for physiotherapy practice, risk assessment and early intervention in physiotherapy practice, physiotherapy in different transition phases, and physiotherapy through various change processes. Emphasis is placed on seeing and understanding physiotherapy practice in a broader societal perspective, and on physiotherapists' contribution to improved public health. This is done through lectures, group discussions, case assignments related to different patient and age groups, and in joint discussions and analyzes of the significance of recent research and relevant theory for knowledge-based physiotherapy practice.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, the candidate must:

- Have in-depth knowledge of physiotherapy as a separate field of knowledge, and the importance this has for the practice of knowledge-based physiotherapy practice.

- Have a broad overview of social and cultural influencing factors and living conditions for health and illness in connection with activity and participation opportunities.

- Have advanced knowledge of the importance of different body understandings, of the body as an expression of lived life, and of actors for the practice of knowledge-based physiotherapy practice.

- Be able to apply knowledge about health challenges and resources in different transition phases and change processes throughout a life cycle. Be able to identify and analyze risk factors for impaired health and initiate early intervention as preventive measures.

- Have good knowledge of the role of physiotherapy in systematic public health work.

Skills

After completing the course, the candidate can:

- Analyze the significance of relevant societal structures and social influencing factors for different patients' activity and participation opportunities.

- Discuss and reflect on the importance of physiotherapy as a separate field of knowledge.

- Apply recent research and knowledge about different body understandings, body as an expression of lived life, and of involvement in knowledge-based physiotherapy practice.

- Identify various risk factors for reduced activity and participation opportunities.

- Use relevant methods to assess and initiate early intervention in the event of a risk of reduced activity and participation opportunities.

General competence

After completing the course, the candidate can:

- Apply their knowledge by contributing to sustainable and innovative physiotherapy practice through increased knowledge, awareness and reflection on societal and social contexts and influencing factors for people's health, activity and participation.

- Apply relevant methods and analyzes to understand challenges and facilitate activity and participation, especially related to transition phases and change processes in a life cycle perspective.

- Analyze and communicate about professional issues in line with the principles within knowledge-based physiotherapy.

- Be able to critically assess sources and knowledge in physiotherapy, and other relevant fields of knowledge and professions.

Learning methods and activities

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and group activities. The lectures will take place in the block weeks of the master's in clinical health sciences. In the event of a postponed examination, new assessment or few registered candidates, the assessment form may be changed.

Further on evaluation

Evaluation form:

• The exam consists of two parts. The first part is a written home assignment in groups. The second part is an individual oral hearing based on the group assignment. An aggregated grade will be given individually in the grading scale A-F. When re-sitting the examination, both parts must be taken again.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Bachelor in physiotherapy, and completed the courses KLH3204 introduction to clinical health science and KLH3001 good holistic patient- and user trajectories.

Course materials

Curriculum will be available at the start of the semester.