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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

311772 v.2 Continence and Women's Health Major (Master of Clinical Physiotherapy)


Major/Stream Overview

This major/stream is part of a larger course. Information is specific to the major/stream, please refer to the course for more information.


This major provides an opportunity for physiotherapists to become expert clinicians in women's health physiotherapy and its related areas of practice. The program is designed to develop clinical expertise through a foundation of evidence based practice, clinical reasoning and sound diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Students will develop knowledge and skills in the management of conditions that are unique to women, more prevalent in women, more serious in women, have different risk factors in women and require different interventions in women. In particular, the major will develop clinical skills in the assessment and management of pelvic floor dysfunction and its many presentations: disorders of bladder and bowel functions and pelvic organ and pelvic girdle support; sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain. As participants progress through the major, they will become expert evaluators and consumers of research, developing a high level of competence in conducting clinical research that will contribute to the body of knowledge in this emerging area of physiotherapy.



Major/Stream Organisation

Major/Stream Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. demonstrate and use advanced knowledge and skills in women's health physiotherapy and in particular in the assessment and management of incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction

2. demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills in the assessment and management of women's health, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction; use an evidence based approach to evaluate assessment and management strategies for the health of women and the pelvic floor

3. advance the body of knowledge and the scope and standard of continence and women's health physiotherapy practice

4. demonstrate advanced written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills in the assessment and management of women's health, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction

5. apply therapeutic technologies in the assessment and management of women's health, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction

6. demonstrate effective strategies for reflective practice and lifelong learning

7. apply international standards and practice in the assessment and management of women's health, incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction

8. demonstrate respect for individual human rights and cultural diversity in promoting the health of women

9. understand and demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour in women's health, continence and pelvic floor physiotherapy practice; demonstrate leadership in clinical practice, education and research in women's health, continence and pelvic floor physiotherapy; work independently and as a member of interdisciplinary teams to optimize women's health, continence and pelvic floor function


Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
309439 v.1   Pelvic Floor Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 650 4.0 25.0
311898 v.1   Physiotherapy Clinics 751 3.0 12.5
311899 v.1   Physiotherapy Project 651 2.0 12.5
307456 v.1   Evidence Based Practice 750 4.0 25.0
309437 v.1   Women Through Life Stages 650 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
309438 v.1   Human Continence 650 4.0 25.0
311900 v.1   Physiotherapy Clinics 752 6.0 25.0
311901 v.1   Physiotherapy Project 652 2.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   25.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 1 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
13157 v.4   Health Promotion Planning 681 3.0 25.0
311908 v.2   Sexology Attitudes and Values 680 4.0 25.0
301952 v.4   Maternal and Child Health in Developing Countries 600 8.0 25.0
311903 v.1   Management of Pain Disorders 652 3.0 25.0




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