On successful completion of this 30 credit Neurorehabilitation module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles of clinical neuroscience relevant to rehabilitation and how these principles apply to practice.
• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of complex neurological conditions with consideration to relevant clinical guidelines, service pathways, health policy which influence service delivery.
• Critically evaluate and analyse contemporary research surrounding neurorehabilitation principles and practice.
• Critically discuss the principles and practice of specialist clinical skills used in neurorehabilitation and their role within neurorehabilitation.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the outcome measures used in neurological rehabilitation and be able to recognise the relative merits of specific neurological assessment tools including the International Classification of Functioning (ICF).
• Demonstrate a deeper knowledge of cognitive impairments commonly encountered in patients with neurological dysfunction, and their emotional and social effects.

Content

The module syllabus typically includes:

Clinical neuroscience and biomechanics

• Knowledge of functional anatomy, physiology and biomechanics applied to understand movement dysfunction and clinical conditions.
• The role of neuroplasticity, motor learning and cognitive function in neurorehabilitation will be introduced and applied to clinical practice through case examples.
• Contemporary research relating to clinical neuroscience will be explored and the implications upon individual practice discussed among peers.

Understanding how research informs practice

• Explore current research into the principles of neurorehabilitation and critically examine how this informs clinical practice.
• Conduct critical review of current treatment approaches in neurological rehabilitation and demonstrate reflective thinking concerning the implications for clinical practice and service delivery.

Specialist clinical skills in neurorehabilitation

• Several neurological conditions will be explored and specialist rehabilitation approaches for these conditions will be introduced and critically explored.
• The theory underpinning these advanced approaches will be integrated through critical appraisal of appropriate research. The role of evidence-based practice will be introduced and critically discussed among peers.
• The application of specialist treatment approaches commonly used in neurorehabilitation will be introduced through practice-based workshops. These sessions will provide an opportunity for you to be familiar with the basic application of such techniques but are not a recognition of proficient clinical use.

Assessment of neurological conditions

• The pathology of complex neurological conditions will be explored and a comprehensive understanding of the clinical guidelines, service pathways, health policy which influence their treatment will be introduced.
• Evidence-based practice will be promoted through critical understanding of neurological assessment methods.
• The relative merits of specific neurological assessment tools will compared and critically appraised.
• How to develop and assess patient centred goals and integrate them to everyday practice will be explored.
• The role of the ICF in clinical practice will be explored and critically appraised.

Learning and Teaching

The learning and teaching strategy for this module is varied and uses taught face-to-face sessions and online learning activities. The practice-based learning objectives will be delivered at UWE Bristol's Glenside Campus.University-based study days will be split into theory and practical sessions. During theory sessions, lectures will be delivered by expert speakers to address current/relevant evidence-based practice.Scheduled learning includes lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstration, practical classes and workshops.Independent learning activities will include guided reading, student-led literature reviews, interactive neuroscience material, on-line discussion and on-line quizzes. Guided reading will direct you to appropriate textbooks, journal articles and other resources which will be available electronically. Independent learning will also include hours engaged with essential reading, case study preparation, assignment preparation and completion etc. 

Study time

Contact hours will include taught sessions at Glenside Campus. You will typically receive up to 5 days of face to face teaching and it is expected each of these days will typically constitute 7 hours of teaching. Taught sessions will integrate lectures, case-study presentations, critical debate sessions, assessment workshops and interactive practical sessions. In addition, phone, email and discussion group contact with staff is available throughout the module typically with up to two hours available for tutorial/assignment/module support.

Assessment

The assessment for this module will be split into two components:

• A 20 minute oral presentation of a case-study to demonstrate critical understanding and clinical application of a specific outcome measure used in neurorehabilitation. The presentation may be carried out in person or via virtual means. The presentation will last 15 minutes and a 5 minute period will be allocated at the end for defended questioning. You will have the opportunity for formative feedback on a 300 word structured abstract prior to your assessment. This abstract will complement the presentation and will be formatively assessed for critical content and structure. 
• A 3,000 word essay to demonstrate a critical understanding of current research in a treatment approach used in neurorehabilitation and critically explore the relative merits of such an approach in practice with reference to the principles of motor learning and cognitive function. You will have an opportunity to receive formative feedback on this component during your on-site study days and via email with the module leader.