Collaborative case-based learning between physiotherapy and occupational therapy students related to neurological patients

Developed by: Rosemary Isles, Discipline of Physiotherapy and Lieve de Clerc, Discipline of Occupational Therapy.
The University of Newcastle

The teaching and learning strategy

At the University of Newcastle, Occupational Therapy students participate in a largely Problem Based Learning program Physiotherapy students study under a program that includes foundation study of relevant scientific and behavioural disciplines and the study of specific physiotherapeutic management of conditions. In each area eg neurological, musculoskeletal, study includes many selected case-based discussions which develop clinical reasoning skills through use of true cases backed up by video resources.

Preparation for this joint tutorial session involved development of a scenario for a patient undergoing rehabilitation following stroke. Both groups of students worked with common derived learning goals that included exploration of pathology, impairments, assessment, goal setting and appropriate interventions related to the patient.

OT and PT students addressed the learning goals from their own professional perspective. Students in pairs groups developed information related to one of the learning goal areas. The lecturers ensured that all aspects of the learning goals were covered.

In the joint two hour session, 12 OT students joined with 13 PT students .They presented their topic using illustrative OHP sheets and a one page handout for five minutes and answered questions. The presentation included demonstration of assessment tools/ methods and intervention techniques where appropriate.

Discussion was facilitated by the lecturers, one from each discipline, to consider the decision making, the specific roles of the therapists and any differing philosophies of management. Students then considered how these roles might overlap and how best they could collaborate to manage this patient.

Later feedback from physiotherapy students suggested that they found that the session was valuable in gaining insight into the role and philosophy of the occupational therapist in the neurological area and further knowledge about stroke patient management.

It is planned to continue to run this tutorial and attempt to develop other joint sessions with other health professionals where appropriate. Student learning and valuing of other health professionals only occurs through first hand experience. These shared learning experiences, followed up by shared clinical experiences in later years are vital to develop co-operative graduate practice among health professionals.

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

Neurological Physiotherapy I (PHTY2030), Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Newcastle

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

Second year

Expected learning outcomes from the teaching and learning practice
  • Better understanding of the roles of physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the management of stroke patients
  • Better understanding of differences and areas of overlap in roles and how optimal practice can be achieved
  • Valuing of the role of each profession in management of neurological patients
  • Improved clinical reasoning related to neurological patients
  • Identification of intervention strategies to best assist stroke patients
Aspects of the teaching and learning practice which make it particularly effective.
  • The collaborative nature of the learning and ability to share and discuss disciplinary commonalities and difference
  • The use of a relatively small group
Evaluation:

At this stage, it was evaluated qualitatively by feedback from the group that participated. It is planned to evaluate the session this year more formally with questionnaires related to awareness of roles etc.

What were the outcomes of the evaluation?
  • Physiotherapy students enjoyed the session and their learning from it.
  • Physiotherapy students learnt that the approach by OTs to the interventions involving neurological patients was different from their own.
  • They voiced appreciation of the format of instruction including case-based learning methods used in the rest of their course compared to learning in the OT course.
Do you have any plans to make changes to the teaching and learning practice?

Minor changes

If so, describe the changes you plan to make.

  • To formally evaluate its effectiveness.
  • The size of physiotherapy student groups will also need to be modified to accommodate a larger cohort of students (approx 25) in the shared class because of larger year group size.
Contact details

Name: Rosemary Isles
Address: School of Health Sciences, University Drive, Callaghan, Newcastle 2308 NSW
URL: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/fmhs/physio/