MAELD4200 Physiotherapy for Elderly People with a Disability Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Older adults with major physical and/or cognitive problems are the main group in the institutional health service. The main focus of this course is on assessment, treatment, and health maintenance and rehabilitation activities. The course is based on different theoretical perspectives, with an emphasis on critical analysis and assessment of the existing knowledge basis for examination, treatment, rehabilitation and preventive measures. The course also deals with principles for development and quality improvement work/research related to physiotherapy practice.

Completed the course MAELD4100 Physiotherapy for Home-dwelling Older Adults.

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and hold authorisation as a physiotherapist.

It is assumed that the student has or will obtain access to physiotherapy work with older adults when taking the course.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence: 

Knowledge 

The student

• can analyse theories, principles and concepts related to evidence-based practice with respect to older adults with a disability
• can analyse their own professional role and function in treatment and rehabilitation of older adults with a disability

Skills 

The student

• can assess the physical function, activity and participation of older adults living in healthcare institutions
• can prioritise, plan, execute and evaluate different interventions for older adults with a disability
• can analyse scholarly and professional problems related to evidence-based practice
• can integrate knowledge from research with clinical experience and the older adult´s experience and preferences
• can critically analyse challenges and barriers related to the implementation of evidence-based interventions in clinical practice

General competence  

The student

• can contribute to professional development in physiotherapy for the older adults
• can analyse scholarly, professional and ethical problems related to evidence-based practice in physiotherapy for the older adults
• can communicate with colleagues, patients and next of kin about specific problems related to physiotherapy for the older adults

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the examination: 

• a minimum of 80% attendance at seminars where students present their assignments, and in group supervision.

Individual project examination in the form of a given topic that is developed during the course. Scope: 3,000 words (+/- 10%).

Resit examination: If the student is awarded the grade F (fails the written assignment), he/she will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

Two examiners will assess all examination papers. At least 20% of the examination papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all students. 

The course overlaps by 10 ECTS credits with FYSEL6010 Geriatric physiotherapy - knowledge-based 1 (20 ECTS credits) in the topics measures and treatment.