Submitted by Ally Calder

The School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago PHTY 535 Neurorehabilitation for Physiotherapists paper is offered by distance or on campus. It aims to provide practising physiotherapists with a more advanced level of knowledge, competence and skill in the neurorehabilitation field through integrating theory, practice, and reflection. The student will develop an ability to critically appraise and evaluate current neurorehabilitation practice trends beyond that of the entry–level practitioner, and apply this information to the evaluation and management of the patient. One of the most valuable aspects of this paper is being able to “put your own spin on it” within the context of the broad topics covered. Topics include exploring physical activity and health, management of secondary conditions, fatigue management, neuropathophysiology, and philosophies of healthcare and service delivery. Within these areas, the student can individualise their learning to their particular interests within a neurorehabilitation context (e.g., TBI, Concussion, Stroke, MS, Parkinson’s Disease, Spinal Cord Injury, Paediatrics). To illustrate such diversity, previous students have explored the effects of cycling on gait parameters in paediatric rehabilitation, the management of central post-stroke pain, passive standing in the long term management of people with spinal cord injury, and strength training in people with chronic stroke. The paper is assessed via three written assignments, one reflective piece, and an oral presentation.

Leanne Robinson provided feedback about her experiences of this paper. “I would like to express my gratitude for the fantastic friendly and open way that this paper was facilitated. As an older adult learner I valued the way you were able to facilitate so everyone had the ability to share and learn from each other no matter where they were on the spectrum of experience or area of practice. It has provided me with a framework for taking limited research in some areas of my area of work, synthesizing and then being able to articulate what that means to my practice. I have already been able to further support a 4th year student, my new grad physio and my other colleagues to look at research in a slightly different and more robust way. I have renewed my enthusiasm for research and the implementation of physiotherapy in my very slow rehabilitation area is of huge benefit to those families and children I have known for a very long time.”

The PHTY 535 paper is primarily facilitated by Dr Ally Calder along with her colleagues at the School of Physiotherapy whose expertise and interests span a wide range of areas within the field of neurorehabilitation. For further information about this paper, please don’t hesitate to contact Ally at ally.calder@otago.ac.nz or to discuss your postgraduate programme of study at the School of Physiotherapy contact the Associate Dean of Postgraduate studies Dr Meredith Perry (meredith.perry@otago.ac.nz)