1 Board of the Faculty of Medicine Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy 180 higher education credits First cycle VGSJG Programme description The Profession The physiotherapy programme focuses on the different fields of knowledge and professional activity in physiotherapy and results in the awarding of a professional qualification as well as a Bachelor s degree. Work as a physiotherapist involves prevention, examination and therapy measures for the entire individual, from newborn children, young people and adults to elderly people approaching the end of their lives. A physiotherapist works over a wide field and can work in inpatient or outpatient care, in municipalities, private sector companies or in private practice. Physiotherapists have good prospects of finding work since the demand for physiotherapists in rehabilitation and preventive health care is expected to rise. The physiotherapy programme in Lund The overall aim of the degree course in physiotherapy is to provide the student with specialised training in physiotherapy that is of good national and international standard, develop the capacity to undertake an independent professional role and prepare the student for lifelong learning. The programme centres on its main field of physiotherapy, study of which is based on the concepts of movement, body structure, body function, activity, participation and health promotion. The format of the course allows each student, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or other faith, sexual orientation and/or disability to develop on the basis of his/her personal capacity and circumstances. Work placement is arranged to closely reflect the labour market, since it attempts to follow the care chain. There is ongoing cooperation for both students and teachers with institutions within Lund University and with physiotherapy courses and other institutions in Sweden and other countries. Students may complete some of their course abroad through a number of exchange programmes. The course is characterised by a scientific approach. Academic staff have a high degree of teaching skill, are active researchers, and many of them are clinically practising licensed physiotherapists. The physiotherapy programme also provides a platform for further studies at second cycle level, such as one-year and two-year Master's degrees, and for research and development work in physiotherapy.
2 Design of the programme In total, the programme comprises six terms amounting to 180 higher education credits. Each term is worth 30 credits, divided into courses of varying duration. The degree course includes an independent degree project worth 15 credits. One week s full-time study corresponds to 1.5 credits. Apart from theoretical and practical knowledge of physiotherapy, the programme provides knowledge within the disciplines of human biology, medicine, social science and the humanities. In all sub-courses, these subject areas are integrated into physiotherapy. The design of the programme means that students will successively broaden, apply and deepen their knowledge and understanding, their skills and abilities, and their judgment and approach. Self-supervised learning is a key feature of the programme, in that the student undertakes responsibility for his/her own studies and learns to search for, and evaluate, knowledge. Instruction takes place in situ and as Web-based learning and work placement. The main approach is Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in which the emphasis is on students developing a capacity for independent lifelong learning. Students work with different situations that have been designed to reflect the professional work of a physiotherapist as closely as possible. Individual study is supplemented with other types of work such as PBL groups, discussion groups, seminars, project work, laboratory work, Web-based learning and work placement. Lectures are primarily intended to provide students with introductions, overviews, in-depth knowledge and/or a summary of a subject or field. Theoretical knowledge is applied and integrated into practical situations throughout the entire programme in which the students, in small groups, practise physiotherapy examination and treatment methods, as well as communication and approach. These practical exercises are intended to illuminate the link between science, proven experience and professional activity. The pedagogical aspect of the professional role also plays a key part in the degree course. Work placement comprises 31,5 credits and takes place in fields in which physiotherapists work, in the form of field studies in terms 1, 2 and 5 (3,0 credits) and as individual courses in terms 3, 4 and 6. During work placement, students will apply and assess physiotherapy examination and treatment methods to maintain, improve or treat the functional ability of patients with respect to their body structure and function, activity and participation. During their work placement, students will also develop preparedness and professional skills, as well as an ethical approach towards clients, patients, family members and colleagues. Work placement takes place in short or long periods, largely full-time. Learning outcomes demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for certification as a physiotherapist (Higher Education Ordinance, SFS 1993:100, with later amendments, Appendix 2). Knowledge and understanding demonstrate knowledge of the scientific basis of the field and an awareness of current research and development work, together with knowledge of the connection between science and proven experience, and the significance of this connection for professional practice; demonstrate a knowledge of conditions in society that affect the health of individuals and groups; and demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation.
3 Skills and abilities demonstrate an ability, independently and working with the individual patient, to carry out physiotherapy measures and an ability to initiate and participate in health promotion, therapy, habilitation and rehabilitation work at individual, group or societal level; demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge so as to del with different situations, phenomena and issues on the basis of individual and group needs; demonstrate an ability to inform and instruct various groups and to carry out guidance tasks; demonstrate an ability to present and discuss measures and treatment results with the parties concerned, orally and in writing, and to document these measures and results in accordance with relevant legislation; demonstrate ability to engage in teamwork and cooperation with other professional groups; and demonstrate an ability to critically examine, assess and use relevant information and to discuss new facts, phenomena and issues with different groups, so as to contribute to the development of the profession and professional activities. Judgement and approach demonstrate self-knowledge and a capacity for empathy, demonstrate an ability to make intervention assessments based on a holistic approach to the human person and on relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, paying particular attention to human rights; demonstrate an ability to take a professional approach to clients or patients, their family members and other groups; and demonstrate an ability to identify their need of further knowledge, and to continuously upgrade their skills. The Degree of Bachelor is obtained after the student has completed course requirements of 180 higher education credits with a certain area of specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, including at least 90 credits with increasingly in-depth studies in the main field of study. Knowledge and understanding demonstrate knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including knowledge of the scientific basis of the field, knowledge of applicable methods in the field, in-depth knowledge of part of the field and a general sense of current research issues. Skills and abilities demonstrate an ability to seek, gather, assess and critically interpret information that is relevant to a problem and to critically discuss phenomena, issues and situations; demonstrate an ability to independently identify, formulate and solve problems and to perform tasks within specified time limits; demonstrate an ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions in dialogue with different groups, orally and in writing; and demonstrate the skills required for independent work in the field that the education concerns.
4 Judgement and approach demonstrate an ability to make assessments in their main field of study, taking into account relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects; demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and into people s responsibility for how knowledge is used; and demonstrate an ability to identify their need of further knowledge and to upgrade their capabilities. Course information Term 1 Physiotherapy the subject and the profession Basis of human locomotion Term 2 Physical functional ability, prevention and training in the presence of disease and injury of the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems 22.5 credits 30 credits Term 3 Work placement within inpatient care 9 credits Locomotor functions in ageing 6 credits Functional ability in the presence of disease and injury of the locomotor, respiratory and circulatory systems 15 credits Term 4 Functional ability in the presence of disease and injury of the nervous system Work placement in rehabilitation or habilitation The scientific method The individual at work Term 5 Functional ability in the presence of disease and injury of the locomotor system Bachelor Thesis in physiotherapy 15 credits, in term 5 Functional ability in the presence of psychosomatic problems and mental illness Term 6 Bachelor Thesis in physiotherapy 15 credits, in term 6 Work placement within outpatient care Work placement within home-based care Optional course 10.5 credits 4.5 credits 15 credits 10.5 credits 4.5 credits
5 Degree A student who has completed and passed courses in the programme corresponding to 180 higher education credits is on application awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a Major in Physiotherapy. The degree confers entitlement to licensing as a licensed physiotherapist, subject to application to the National Board of Health and Welfare. Admission requirements and selection procedure Apart from basic eligibility, special eligibility requirements apply to this course. Standard eligibility: You must have upper-secondary level certificates in Mathematics, Civics, Natural Science or Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Physical Education. Please contact the Study Guidance office at the Faculty of Medicine for information about specific requirements for your country. See http://www.med.lu.se/english/education/undergraduate_studies/study_guidance The minimum grades required are always a pass in each subject. Additionally, there are also certain eligibility requirements to courses within the programme during the period of study. Selection takes place via grades and the Swedish National University Aptitude Test.