Download Physiotherapy Clinical Placement – Site Specific Information

Physiotherapy Clinical Placement – Site Specific Information
Kingston Centre
The Kingston site units consist of South 4 (orthopaedic and general aged rehabilitation), South 5 and 6
(Geriatric Evaluation and Management units), North West 1 (movement disorder and general aged
rehabilitation), North West 2 (neurological rehabilitation) and Biala (in-patient aged persons mental health
assessment and rehabilitation unit).
Recommended Student Preparation
Musculoskeletal
This placement will take place on South 4. This unit has a combined musculoskeletal and general aged
rehabilitation caseload that may include a mixture of fractures of the upper and lower limb, as well as joint
replacement and spinal surgery. This placement will also include participating in Aquatic Physiotherapy.
Simulation training may also be a part of your education experience on this unit.
All musculoskeletal students in the Monash Clinical-School are expected to revise all musculoskeletal lectures,
and have pre-read and have access to Hoppenfeld & Murthy, “Treatment and Rehabilitation of Fractures”.
Neurological
This placement will take place on North West 2. This is a brand new ward that combines neurological
rehabilitation for the older and younger population. The caseload will primarily be a mixture of patients with
strokes and subarachnoid or subdural haemorrhages; however other diagnoses may include brain tumours and
some progressive conditions such as multiple sclerosis. This placement will also likely involve participation in
hydrotherapy.
In 2014, all 4th year Monash-Clinical School students on a neurology placement will attend a series of
combined tutorials. Therefore, you will be required to pre-read and prepare using your neurology tutorial
manual. For 3rd year students undertaking a neurology placement at Monash Health, 5 days of simulation
training will be incorporated as part of this placement.
Cardiorespiratory
This placement will take place on any of the South wards which are Geriatric Evaluation & Management units.
The caseload will be mixed including a variety of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and generally debilitating
conditions which have an impact on the patient’s potential to return home. Ongoing evaluation of
cardiorespiratory status is required for patients, especially those with chronic conditions, with the focus less
likely to be on acute or post-operative complications. This placement may also involve cardiac rehabilitation at
Kingston CRC.
Gerontology
This placement will be based any of the South wards, with a mixed caseload of patients admitted for both
geriatric rehabilitation and geriatric evaluation and management. Rehabilitation patients may be in the
orthopaedic, cardiorespiratory or, to a lesser extent, neurology stream.
This placement may include some hydrotherapy, and will provide opportunities to work with patients in
different inpatient units across the site, exposing students to different treatment teams and models of care.
To prepare for this placement students are required to revise common geriatric conditions and syndromes
such as falls, frailty, cognitive impairment, mobility limitation and functional assessment. Consideration of the
approach to treating the older adult is essential; this will be the subject of a clinical tutorial in week 1 of the
clinical placement.
Recommended pre-reading: Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, 6th Edition, Authors Jeffrey B.
Halter, Joseph G. Ouslander, Mary E. Tinetti, Stephanie Studenski, Kevin P. High, Sanjay Asthana. (This is a
substantial text and will be available during the placement. It is not expected to be read in its entirety, but is a
comprehensive resource); Oxford Handbook of Geriatric Medicine (This text is recommended as a quick
reference guide along with the Oxford Handbook of clinical medicine).
Electives
Movement Disorders
Parkinson’s disease is the most common condition seen in the movement disorders unit. Patients with more
uncommon movement disorders such as Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Frontal
Gait Apraxia are also seen by this unit. Patients can be admitted to NW1 from acute settings or the community
for diagnosis or review of medical management of movement disorders. Patients also undergo reconditioning
rehabilitation and strategy training programs while on NW1. The age group of these patients varies
significantly from 30-80 years, as does the severity of the disease being treated. The average length of stay is
2-4 weeks depending on responses to medications and rehabilitation. Students will also get the opportunity to
complete self-guided and clinician run tutorials as well as attending medical ward rounds. Contact Clinic
Coordinator for articles recommended as pre-reading.
Hydrotherapy
This placement covers the area of Aquatic Physiotherapy for rehabilitation patients. This includes
rehabilitation for neurological, orthopaedic, chronic pain and general rehabilitation patients. Students will
have the opportunity to apply practical skills in sessions in each of these areas. As part of the placement,
students will see some of their patients on land and in the pool, to see how Aquatic Physiotherapy
compliments land-based therapy and functional improvements. Students will also get the opportunity to
complete Aquatic-based project work if desired, as well as attend hydrotherapy tutorials.
Recommended pre-reading:
Becker B (1997) Aquatic Physics. In Ruoti R, Morris D & Cole A (eds) Aquatic Rehabilitation, Lippencott,
Philadelphia; Hall J, Bisson D, O’Hare P (1990) The Physiology of Immersion. Physiotherapy 76, 517-521;
Harrison R, Bulstrode S (1987) Percentage weight-bearing during partial immersion. Physiotherapy Prac; 3:603; Harrison R, Hillman M, Bulstrode S (1992) Loading of the lower limb when walking partially immersed:
Implications for clinical practice. Physiotherapy; 78: 164-6.