Foundations of Rehabilitation Science Quiz

Course Information

Course Title: Foundations of Rehabilitation Science
Institution: Western University
Days: Mondays
Time: 6:30-9:30
Location: FNB 1270

Course Faculty

Jen Van Bussel (PT)
JP Raman (PT)
Josh Campbell (OT)
David Sindrey (CSD)

Course Structure and Assessments

Three blocks (each 3 weeks long)
Each block followed by a multiple-choice question (MCQ) (20% each)
MCQs completed on Brightspace
CSD MCQ scheduled during final exam period
Individual Assignment (20%): Case Review
Group Assignment (20%): Knowledge Translation Video
Individual Assignment details:
- Review case information (Meet Jay)
- Describe the role/scope of practice for each profession (PT, OT, SLP, Audiology)
- Describe one assessment/treatment for Jay's care needs/discharge preparation
Group Assignment details:
- Collaborate in small groups
- Choose a topic from the course
- Summarize knowledge on a chosen topic via a short video (<5 minutes)
- Demonstrate time management, teamwork, oral communication and knowledge of course content
- Develop, practice, or refine teaching skills via video technology
- Form group of 5 students maximum
- Email group details to course manager by February 7

Individual Assignment: Case Review

The assignment provides practice in reflective writing and demonstrates understanding of clinical roles, scope of practice, and therapeutic approaches for PT, OT, SLP, and Audiology
Students apply knowledge to a clinical case study
Specific tasks include: reviewing case info (Meet Jay), describing roles, and describing relevant assessments/treatments.

Group Assignment: Knowledge Translation Video

Students collaborate in small groups to demonstrate knowledge of a chosen course topic through a short video (5 minutes maximum)
The video summarizes course knowledge on a selected topic
The assignment assesses time management, teamwork, oral communication skills, and course knowledge application
Video production experience includes learning and applying instructional video technology and teaching skills

Additional Course Details

The course includes a detailed agenda of topics (e.g. introduction to rehabilitation, physiotherapy, concepts in rehabilitation framework - ICD and ICF, RHPA, physiotherapy act and scope of practice, physiotherapy competencies, code of ethics, and employment outlook)
Learning objectives include foundational definitions, ICD and ICF models of disability, scope of Physical Therapy practice, essential competencies of a therapist, the physiotherapy code of ethics and employment market discussion.
Rehabilitation framework, the ICF model includes the body functions and structures, activity, participation, and environmental and personal factors
Rehabilitation aims at optimal functioning in interaction with one's environment. Health is defined as complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Rehabilitation involves a process of identifying problems/needs, relating problems to limiting factors, defining target problems, planning interventions, and assessing effects.
Rehabilitation outcomes/goals depend on factors (e.g. condition, age, patient resources), general goal areas (e.g. prevention of loss of function, promotion of mobility)
Rehabilitation categories: rehabilitation medicine, therapy, and assistive technologies
Rehabilitation medicine focuses on diagnosis/treatment of health conditions, reducing impairments, preventing/treating complications. Physicians (e.g., physiatrists, rehabilitation doctors and specialists) are part of the team.
Specialists involved frequently include (but are not limited to) Psychiatrists, Geriatricians, Paediatricians, Ophthalmologists, Neurosurgeons, and Orthopaedic surgeons.
Assistive technologies include items (i.e. crutches, prostheses, orthotics, wheelchairs, canes, walkers, hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc) that improve/maintain functional abilities.
Therapy focuses on prevention/slowing decline in function, restoring/compensating for loss and maintaining function. Professionals include (but are not limited to) Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Orthotists, Prosthetists, Psychologists, Rehabilitation and technical assistants, Social workers, and Speech-Language therapists.
Therapy measures include training, exercises, compensatory strategies, education, support, counselling, environment modifications and provision of resources and assistive technologies.
Physical therapy is a primary care, autonomous, client-focused health profession that focuses on improving quality of life through promotion of mobility, physical activity and wellness; Prevention of disease, injury, and disability; Management of conditions; and Rehabilitation.
Physical Therapy uses different physical agents, including mechanical forces and movements (biomechanics/kinesiology), manual therapy, exercise, electrotherapy, and other modalities (e.g., hydrotherapy), examining and diagnosing, and intervention planning.
Key features of the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991), i.e., the RHPA in Ontario include its purpose: protecting public interest, a more open and accountable system of self-governance, provision of modern frameworks for professionals, consumer choice and quality improvement for care.
The RHPA includes features like scope of practice, controlled acts, health regulatory colleges, the Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board.
The course lists 29 regulated health professions (Audiology, Chiropody, Chiropractic, etc)
The course includes essential competencies for physical therapists: Physiotherapy Expertise, Communication, Collaboration, Management, Leadership, and Scholarship.
The course reviews the Physiotherapy Code of Ethics that ensures professionals conduct themselves ethically in all situations, and reviews relevant values such as respect, excellence, autonomy and well-being, communication, collaboration and advocacy, and honesty and integrity.
The course reviews the employment outlook: total number of PTs is 29,153 in 2023 (more than 28,038 in 2022); 27,964 employed in physiotherapy, 79 seeking PT employment but employed in other professions, 170 unemployed but seeking employment and 65 unemployed without seeking employment. Employment forecast data are available on the Ontario CPA website.
There are specific data on PTs by province, age and gender in 2023.
Students are informed about things to help them get prepared for their professional life after graduation.