XNB381 Musculoskeletal, Neurological and Occupational Disorders


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:XNB381
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:CSB520, XNB272, XNB273 and XNB274 (XN51 and XN52 students) or XNB271, XNB272, XNB273 and XNB274 (XN54 students)
Coordinator:Justin Holland | justin.holland@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit is a clinical unit that develops key clinical knowledge required for exercise physiology practice. This unit specifically focuses on the neurological, occupational and musculoskeletal disorders, including their epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatments. By identifying the causes of each disorder, along with their epidemiological characteristics, the underlying mechanisms that affect movement capacity, and approaches taken to diagnose, assess and treat these disorders, the unit aims to develop your knowledge of these disorders so that you can recognise how they affect and respond to movement, exercise and activity. This unit links to XNH386 Clinical Skills for Exercise Physiologists, where practical assessment skills relevant to the disease states covered in this unit, are taught.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Describe the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments, medications, at a level that allows students to work with other health professionals in the assessment and provision of exercise and activity suitable for people with neurological, workplace injuries and musculoskeletal conditions.
  2. Analyse client information and make informed judgments to appropriately risk stratify an individual for exercise and physical activity. Develop a management plan to assist clients with management of their chronic disease.
  3. Demonstrate the appropriate and safe use of a practical assessment used for the functional evaluation of an individual with a disorder.
  4. Demonstrate professionalism, communication skills and appropriate use of clinical terminology relevant to the disorder.

Content

You will be required to describe the aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures and treatments and medications across the following 3 learning modules and diseases listed below:


Module 1: Musculoskeletal Disease

  • Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, acute, sub-acute and chronic specific and non- specific musculoskeletal pain / injuries /disabilities

Module 2: Occupational Health and Rehabilitation

  • You must be able to safely and effectively assess functional capacity to perform work task(s).
  • This will include a work task analysis/ergonomic assessment, Interpretation and reporting of psychosocial screening outcomes and Interpretation and recognition of functional outcomes in the design of appropriate rehabilitation plans and reports.

Module 3: Neurological Disease

  • Stroke (CVA), Spinal Cord Injury, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Learning Approaches

This unit adopts a blended approach to learning. The unit will make extensive use of web-based resources including video recordings and assessment procedures commonly used with each specific disorder. Where possible, learning activities will include invited speakers, other health professionals and patients, to provide their perspectives on the implications of the disorders for movement, exercise and activity. Practicals will focus on case scenarios that allow you to deepen you understanding of each condition, and gain an awareness of disease management and develop professional communication skills.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your performance in assessment tasks will be provided through verbal feedback in class and written feedback on an individual basis or group basis as required for each assessment.

Assessment

Overview

This unit will be delivered across a 13 week semester. Assessment items are designed to measure your knowledge and mastery of professional skills stated in the learning outcomes.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Mid Semester Examination

The examination will evaluate your understanding of aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatment for musculoskeletal and occupational disorders. The exam will include multiple-choice, short answer, and extended response questions. 

Weight: 20
Length: 2 hours
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Clinical Case Study Portfolio

You will be evaluated on your ability to conduct a workplace assessment for an individual with a musculoskeletal or neurological disorder.  You will be required to research the disorder and demonstrate the appropriate and safe use of a practical assessment used for the functional evaluation of an individual with this disorder. Finally you will be evaluated on your professionalism, communication skills, and appropriate use of clinical terminology relevant to the disorder. The case study will be developed and documented using a combination of written and practical based assessment. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 2000 words and 30 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Examination

A written examination will evaluate your understanding of aetiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical course, diagnostic and assessment procedures, and treatment for neurological diseases.The exam will include multiple-choice, short answer, and extended response questions.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 2:40 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources




Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Ehrman, J., Gordon, P., Visich, P., Keteyian, S. (2019). Clinical Exercise Physiology (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, USA.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.