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Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Program overview

Physiotherapy is concerned with assessing, treating and preventing human movement disorders; restoring normal function or minimising dysfunction in adults and children with physical impairment; preventing injuries and disability in the workplace, at home, or during recreational activities; and promoting community health for all age groups.


The Bachelor of Physiotherapy program trains students for a professional career in physiotherapy and enables them to enter professional practice in various fields including women’s health, working with children, sports, outpatients, acute care and geriatric physiotherapy. The program provides a balanced education in related areas of medical science, humanities and physiotherapy practice, and promotes attitudes of scientific enquiry and critical appraisal.


What will I study?

Courses in all years of the program fall within one of the following streams: Biophysical Science, Professional Studies and Broadening Undergraduate Education.


A major focus in the early years of the program is the study of normal movement and the basic medical science courses including human anatomy Courses introduce students to the skills and knowledge they need to develop throughout the duration of the program.


The remainder of the program deals with abnormal movement and the nature and application of physical modalities and interventions used in prevention and treatment of disease and disability. Students are trained not only as members of the healthcare team concerned with the physical and psychosocial rehabilitation of sick and disabled people, but also as first-contact practitioners concerned with prevention of disability and illness in the workplace, in the community and in recreational pursuits.


This program also requires participation in laboratory classes where manual skills and topics such as surface anatomy are presented. Students gain a range of practical experiences by undertaking extensive clinical placements both at the University-based Physiotherapy Clinic, located at the City East campus, and within a variety of metropolitan, rural and regional settings. Students will spend at least one of their fieldwork (clinical) placements outside Adelaide in country or interstate locations and will also be required to undertake fieldwork placements outside of teaching weeks.


What does it take?

People considering physiotherapy as a career should be mature and have the ability to examine and solve complex problems, to make decisions and to act on them. They should also be able to communicate readily with people of all ages and backgrounds. A genuine desire to assist sick and injured people is important, along with patience, manual dexterity and the capacity for hard work. A good level of physical fitness and general health is also beneficial in this profession. Physiotherapists are first contact practitioners and therefore also need sound clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills.


Who will employ me?

Graduates are advised to first gain experience in hospitals, as this allows them to acquire skills and experience in various fields of work in situations where advice and help is readily available. After this general experience many physiotherapists choose to specialise in a specific area of interest.

 
Physiotherapists may work in public and private hospitals; women’s health services; private practice; community health centres; special centres for people with physical disabilities; daycare centres and nursing homes; domiciliary care services; sports centres and with sporting teams; schools and preschools; mental health services; research areas; factories and offices; and occupational health units.


Physiotherapists may also find employment as part of a healthcare team or as first-contact practitioners who treat patients who have not been referred by a doctor.


Please note: A Graduate Entry program is available for graduates of other bachelor degrees who wish to enter the profession of Physiotherapy. With the appropriate foundation in specific disciplines, graduates may apply for the Master of Physiotherapy program: a fast-track, Commonwealth-supported program. Click here for more information on specific prerequisites and how to apply.
 

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