Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Paediatric Physiotherapy

Paediatric Physiotherapy
3
10239
4
First semester
op
Physiotherapy in clinical specialties
Optativas de especialización
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff


Dra. AMOR BARBOSA, Marta - mamor@uic.es

The faculty will attend to all students who request it by e-mail.

Dr. Marta Amor Barbosa (headline)

mamor@uic.es

Ms. Anna Ortega i Martínez

aortegam@uic.es

Dr. Rosa Cabanas Valdés

rosacabanas@uic.es 

Introduction

Paediatric physiotherapy is a discipline in charge of advising, treating and caring for infants, children and adolescents at neurological risk, with global developmental delays or movement disorders (both congenital and acquired).

The target population of paediatric physiotherapy includes patients (from 0 to 18 years) who require treatment to minimize or prevent impairments caused by neurological disorders (cerebral palsy, cranioencephalic trauma, spina bifida, etc.), neuromuscular conditions (cerebral palsy, cranioencephalic trauma, spina bifida, etc.), musculoskeletal disorders (achondroplasia, Perthes disease, congenital hip dislocation, congenital torticollis, plagiocephaly, etc.), respiratory diseases (bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma, etc.), genetic syndromes (Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, etc.) or others.

The role of paediatric physiotherapists is to evaluate, plan and carry out treatment programs to improve and/or recover motor impairments, develop movement skills and prevent disorders associated with diseases, injuries or other disabilities. Paediatric physiotherapists use a wide range of therapeutic strategies, although the current trend is to intervene in the children's environment.

Paediatric physiotherapists can be found in rehabilitation services in hospitals and primary care centers, early care centers, schools (regular and special education), psychopedagogical counselling teams, private centers, and some associations.

Pre-course requirements

Not established.

Objectives

  1. To know the different fields of action.
  2. To know the evolution of theories and models applicable in paediatric physiotherapy.
  3. To understand the principles of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
  4. To know how to apply the F-words paradigm.
  5. To acquire basic training in embryology.
  6. To know the causes and main pathologies derived from an abnormal embryological development.
  7. To know the stages of normal development.
  8. To know the conditions that favour or hinder development.
  9. To acquire a basic training on the warning signs that can detect a possible psychomotor retardation.
  10. To know the different contexts that favour the learning of voluntary movement.
  11. To acquire training on the main assessments applied to the different stages of growth.
  12. To acquire skills in the global and integral therapeutic approaches in children with multiple disabilities.
  13. To know the specific therapeutic approaches according to the individual abilities.
  14. To know the different strategies that can be used for learning motor skills.
  15. To acquire training on the general characteristics of play in childhood and the main adaptations of play in children with disabilities. 

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 01 - The ability to analysis and synthesis.
  • 02 - The ability to organise and synthesize
  • 09 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
  • 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
  • 12 - To be creative
  • 15 - Demonstrate a concern for quality.
  • 18 - Demonstrate a patient-centered approach by showing respect for the central role of the individual and his/her needs in decision-making.
  • 21 - Knowledge of the physiological and structural changes that can occur after physiotherapeutic interventions.
  • 28.3 - Show respect, appreciation and sensitivity towards the work of others.
  • 29.1 - Demonstrate a committment to ongoing learning and self-improvement.
  • 30.1 - Teamwork skills.
  • 37.4 - adhere to professional competencies and standards in health care
  • 37.5 - knowledge of the profession's deontological ethics codes
  • 43 - Knowledge of physiotherapeutic procedures based on techniques and methods specific to physiotherapy interventions applied to the various disorders of all systems and medical and surgical specialisations, as well as health promotion and disease prevention.
  • 49 - Ability to design a physiotherapy treatment plan.
  • 53 - Capacity to participate within the areas of health promotion and disease prevention.

Learning outcomes of the subject

The student:

  1. Knows the different areas of paediatric physiotherapy.
  2. Knows the evolution of theories and models applicable in paediatric physiotherapy.
  3. Understands the principles of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
  4. Knows how to apply the F-word paradigm.
  5. Knows the physiology and pathophysiology of nervous system and musculoskeletal system development at various stages of maturation.
  6. Knows the causes and main pathologies derived from abnormal embryological development.
  7. Identifies the main risk factors that affect the psychomotor development of the child.
  8. Knows the different contexts that favour the learning of voluntary movement.
  9. Knows the appropriate tests, assessment scales and questionnaires to collect signs and symptoms derived from the child's conditions in the different stages of growth.
  10. Identifies the child's functional abilities and limitations.
  11. Analyses the possibilities of intervention in the child's development according to the individual environment.
  12. Acquires skills in the global approach in children with multiple alterations and deficiencies.  
  13. Identifies the characteristics of the play that contribute to psychomotor development.
  14. Identifies the role of the family, caregivers and other professionals in the rehabilitation process.

Syllabus

  1. Definition of paediatric physiotherapy and areas of action.
  2. Models of intervention in paediatric physiotherapy.
  3. Principles of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
  4. F words.
  5. Fetal development.
  6. Mechanisms of prenatal malformation, alteration and deformation.
  7. Congenital malformations and deformities.
  8. Advances in neuroscience applied to control of movement and learning.
  9. Stages of psychomotor development and prediction of neuromotor alterations.
  10. Alarm signals.
  11. Prematurity.
  12. Congenital pathologies of prematurity and infancy.
  13. Play as a therapeutic tool.
  14. Infantile cerebral palsy.
  15. Other infantile pathologies.

Teaching and learning activities

In person



Classes will be given with audio-visual support and the theoretical contents will be related to real practical cases.

Different activities related to procedural practice will be solved according to the contents of the course.

Teaching methodology

-        LM - Expository Method/Master Class

-        MC - Case method

-        REP - Exercise and problem solving

Training activities

 

Hours

Presenciality (%)

TC - Theoretical classes

30

100%

SLA - Self-learning activities

20

0%

IE - Independent study

40

0%

 

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The evaluation will consist of:

-        Continuous evaluation activities (30%): continuous evaluation activities contextualized in real clinical cases and related to the contents.

-        Theoretical exam (70%)

It is established as a requirement to pass the course the passing of the theoretical exam with a minimum grade of 5.0.

The grading system will be used in accordance with current legislation. Currently, according to RD 1.125/2003 of September 5:

0-4.9 Fail.

5.0-6.9 Pass.

7.0-8.9 Remarkable.

9.0-10 Excellent.

The mention of "Matrícula de Honor" may be awarded to students who obtain a grade equal to or higher than 9.0. Their number may not exceed 5% of the students enrolled in the subject in the corresponding academic year, unless the number of students enrolled is less than 20, in which case only one honorable mention may be awarded.

Bibliography and resources

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 17/01/2023 I2 08:00h
  • E1 17/01/2023 I1 08:00h
  • E1 17/01/2023 I3 08:00h
  • E2 04/07/2023 A05 10:00h
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