Developed by: Ms Kathy Gould and Dr Gillian Webb
The University of Melbourne
Teaching and learning strategy
This subject is based in the clinical teaching facilities of the faculty where teaching and supervision is provided by experienced clinicians. Teaching consists of tutorials, bedside teaching, lectures, team meetings and supervised practice. Self directed learning is enhanced by the use of guided videos and readings.
The assessment in this subject encourages the students to develop materials around pertinent topics in gerontology. Students can produce posters, brochures, booklets, videos, CDs or DVDs. These should be applicable to a general audience, healthcare providers in aged care or a patient/care giver.
In what course/ subject/ unit/ module/ program is the teaching and learning practice used?
Gerontology 513 404
In what year level are the students who participate in the teaching/ learning practice?
Fourth year
Expected learning outcomes from the teaching and learning practice:
Students should comprehend the implications of an aging population on health delivery and the community: changes occurring in normal aging, pathologies associated with aging; heterogeneity of the elderly population; multiple pathologies; multidisciplinary management teams; evaluation of physiotherapy management emphasising assessment and outcome measures; the need to identify advances in gerontology and relate these to practice. Knowledge of the role of physiotherapists and other health team members in management, agencies delivering aged care services and sources of specialised equipment are developed. The tutorial program includes balance and postural control, gait in the elderly, dementia, incontinence, aged care policy, service networks, pain in the elderly and amputees.
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
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safely and competently assess and treat an elderly patient with the complex care needs involving musculoskeletal, neurological and/or cardiothoracic problems
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participate with the multidisciplinary team in the discharge planning process and appropriate referral of the elderly patient requiring ongoing physiotherapy treatment
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demonstrate knowledge of the role of agencies managing and delivering Aged Care Services as well as an understanding of how to access the services available
Aspects of the teaching and learning practice which make it particularly effective.
Assessment in this subject includes the production of patient education or health promotion literature on topics to do with aged care. The students through this form of assessment are given opportunities to develop skills in health promotion and patient/community education by the production of relevant educational tools. The students are required to back up their materials with appropriate references and evidence of the effectiveness of their programs.
Evaluation:
This has been evaluated using the standard university quality of teaching survey and also with an internal survey. The clinical educators responsible for the teaching of this subject have also been consulted.
What were the outcomes of the evaluation?
Students have enjoyed the opportunity to develop learning materials in a variety of mediums. Clinical staff have used many of the productions in their facilities for patient education and health promotion activities.
Do you have any plans to make changes to the teaching and learning practice?
There is constant review of the topics and how these are presented.
If so, describe the changes you plan to make.
Changes as to how students provide evidence for their materials have been implemented. Also we are examining how we might be able to distribute these products more effectively to the broader community.
Contact details
Name: Gillian Webb
Address School of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010.
URL: http://www.physioth.unimelb.edu.au/
