ERGO1300 Physical Health - Occupation and Participation Course description

The course comprises treatment and rehabilitation of people with activity issues as a result of rheumatological, neurological, orthopaedic or internal medicinal illnesses or injuries. Occupational therapists can help to rehabilitate lost functionality and/or enable activity and participation. Activity analysis and methodical use of activity are important tools in this process. Emphasis is placed on disability, rehabilitation and client focus in a multicultural society.

The course consists of the following subject areas from the national curriculum, specified below as the number of credits:

• Ideas, theory and experience (2 ECTS)
• Research and development in occupational therapy (1 ECTS)
• Rehabilitative work (2 ECTS)
• Therapeutic work (3 ECTS)
• Illness and disability (7 ECTS)

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• explaining the occupational therapist's tasks in the process of therapy and rehabilitation
• explaining diagnoses within neurology, orthopaedics, rheumatology and internal medicine to describe the consequences of activity and participation
• explaining mapping instruments used in cognitive function reports
• giving grounds for mapping and measures based on relevant theory
• explaining research and development work in orthopaedics, rheumatology and neurology relevant to the field of occupational theory

Skills

The student is capable of

• applying The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E), Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and the conceptual model of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in treatment and rehabilitation
• using the outcome measure Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
• planning and conducting initial interviews with clients
• conducting sensory-motor examinations in the case of injuries to the central nervous system
• applying rehabilitation methods in the case of rheumatological conditions with a focus on ADL (Activities of Daily Living)
• applying rehabilitation methods after injuries to the central nervous system with a focus on ADL
• facilitating, classifying and instructing activity in cases of cognitive functional deficits
• mapping and rehabilitating hand functions
• using biomechanical knowledge in the design of hand orthosis
• using principles of movement in relation to ergonomics and mobility training
• explaining the principles for the adaptation of wheelchairs
• explaining techniques for operating wheelchairs
• supervising testing and practice in the use of technical aids

Competence

The student is capable of

• demonstrating insight into challenges faced in the big cities by people with disabilities in relation to accessibility and opportunity for participation
• using a client-centred approach in conversations with users
• explaining systematic work with clients both orally and in written form

Anatomy is the study of the structures in the human body, while physiology describes how the body works. A basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology is necessary for the occupational therapist to analyse what prevents people from carrying out activities and implement relevant measures When it comes to understanding functional anatomy, focus will be placed on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. The course also comprises an introduction to human movement science, which describes the interaction between the individual and their environment when performing daily activities. Many occupational therapists work with mapping and measures related to sight, hearing, balance and tactile sense, and knowledge of the functions of the sensory apparatus is thereby also central.

The course consists of the following subject areas from the national curriculum, specified below as the number of credits:

• Anatomy (12 ECTS)
• Physiology (3 ECTS)

A minimum attendance of 80% is compulsory in skills training, introductions to the course, seminars and supervised group work.

Students must meet the compulsory attendance requirements in order to sit the exam.

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Individual oral exam, up to 30 min.

Time: Second semester

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing the structure and functioning of the musculoskeletal system
• describing the structure and functioning of the circulatory and respiratory systems
• describing the structure, mechanisms and functions of the peripheral, central and autonomous nervous systems
• giving an account of the structure and functions of the sensory apparatus
• highlighting connections between movement, sensing, perception and cognition in the carrying out of daily activities (human movement science)

Skills

The student is capable of

• applying functional anatomy and biomechanics in the analysis of daily activities
• identifying body structures - surface anatomy

Competence

The student

• acts respectfully and professionally when handling anatomical specimens and is familiar with ethical dilemmas attached to examinations

Teaching consists of lectures and supervision in smaller groups that comprises demonstrations of specimens and surface anatomy, as well as skills training. The students will practice analysing movement through practical exercises. Students must organise study groups for self-study early on in the programme.

One external and one internal examiner will assess at least 20% of the students. Two internal examiners assess the remaining students. The external examiner´s assessment shall benefit all students.