Guide book and DVD prepared by 4th years to prepare 3rd years for spinal injury placement


Developed by: Sonia Denisenko
La Trobe University

Teaching and learning strategy

The DVD resource "Introduction to the Management of Spinal Patients" was created as part of a 4th year student elective project in conjunction with the Victorian Spinal Cord Service- Austin Hospital (VSCS). Preclinical students attend a site visit to the Service as a compulsory component of PTY31NEU, where they receive a tutorial and then perform supervised assessments of clients with spinal cord injury. A 4th year elective project was designed where a student on clinical placement at VSCS developed an educational video to precede the 3rd year students' site visit. The content of the video was reviewed both by the clinicians on site and myself prior to filming and editing to ensure that the aims and objectives of the production were compatible with the needs of the both parties and would be consistent with the content of the curriculum. This video was incorporated into the PTY31NEU curriculum in semester 1, 2004.

In what course/ subject/ unit/ module/ program is the teaching and learning practice used?

PTY31NEU Neurological Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

In what year level are the students who participate in the teaching/ learning practice

3rd year, pre clinical block

Learning outcomes from the teaching and learning practice.

The purpose of this video is to introduce preclinical students to the physiotherapy management of clients with Spinal Cord Injury, via a multimedia production with incorporated discussion and self learning points.

Following viewing of the video, and completion of the associated self learning guide students should be able to:
  • Define the basic principles of assessing a patient with a spinal cord injury, at an impairment and activity level.
  • Discuss the mobility limitations of spinal patients and how this will affect transferring patients: according to the level of their spinal injury.
  • Determine the safest and most effective way of transferring patients from their wheelchair to plinth, using a hoist or assisted transfer.
  • Demonstrate wheelchair safety in transfers.
  • Discuss the general principles and demonstrate appropriate techniques to stretch a patient with a spinal cord lesion. Describe the evidence and current research behind the benefits and effectiveness of stretching SCI patients.
  • Explain the principles of safe and energy efficient bed mobility techniques including rolling, propping and sitting up a SCI patient on the plinth.
  • Describe the importance of tenodesis grasp in spinal cord lesion patients, and how this is used in functional activities.
  • Identify the general setup of a wheelchair and the importance of how to achieve correct posture in a wheelchair.
  • Explain the causes of skin complications associated with SCI patient and the management of these.

Aspects of the teaching and learning practice which make it particularly effective.

The project was developed in response to reports from clinicians that students were poorly prepared for their clinical visit in the area of spinal cord injuries. The video production was a response to an identified area of weakness in the curriculum.
The script and filming of the video was completed by a 4th year physiotherapy student who was completing a clinical elective in Spinal Cord injuries. This meant that the video production served purposes as both an educational experience for the student which was a component of their clinical assessment, and also was an opportunity to develop the resource which neither the clinicians nor the university had time to do.
The student developed the production with their own learning experience and knowledge gaps in mind. The video objectives and script were then reviewed by both the clinicians and LTU lecturers prior to filming and editing. This ensured that the aims and objectives of the production were compatible with the needs of all parties and would be consistent with the content of the curriculum.

Evaluation:

The video has not been formally evaluated.
Informal reports from clinicians regarding the 3rd year student performance this year was improved compared to previous years.

Changes planned to the teaching and learning practice:

The template of the video script will be developed for use on future video productions. There are several areas of the curriculum in this subject that would benefit from a resource such as this.
In future productions the accompanying self learning guide will be more extensive and incorporate more independent reading and critique of the current evidence base, not just viewing the video.

Contact details

Name: Sonia Denisenko
Address: School of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University, Vic 3086
URL: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/physiotherapy/