1991/1992 - Office of the Registrar - McMaster University

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
The aim of the Bachelor of Health Sciences programmes in Occupational
Therapy and Physiotherapy is to provide students with the opportunity to
build on their first degree and to acquire a professional education. Upon graduation
they will be able to function as competent basic level clinicians in a
variety of hospital and/or community health settings. Competence entails the
integration of knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours in order to analyze
and manage health problems.
Programme Goals
The graduates of the B.H.Sc. programmes in Occupational Therapy and
Physiotherapy will be able:
Knowledge:
1. to understand and apply the theoretical and scientific bases of Occupational
Therapy and Physiotherapy;
2. to understand the interrelationship of the biological, psychological,
social and behavioural determinants of health;
3. to understand the basic principles and methods of scientific inquiry
and critical appraisal;
4. to understand the importance of prevention, health maintenance,
health promotion and treatment;
5. to understand the factors which affect health policy and the delivery
of health care;
6. to understand change.
Skills:
1. to demonstrate clinical reasoning skills for the management of health
care problems;
2. to demonstrate competence in assessment and treatment techniques
in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy;
3. to demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills;
4. to function as members of an interdisciplinary health-care team;
5. implement programmes for prevention, health maintenance and
health promotion;
6. to function in advocacy roles in order to ·enhance quality of life;
7. to demonstrate teaching and supervisqry skills in professional
practice;
8. to demonstrate critical thinking skills;
9. to assess effectiveness of professional practice;
10. to adapt to and initiate change.
Personal Qualities:
1. to recognize, develop and maintain the personal qualities that are
required for professional life:
a. respect for each person's individuality;
b. empathy in client relationships;
c. ethical and professional behaviour;
d. self-appraisal of personal attributes in order to builc;l on
strengths and overcome weaknesses.
2. to function as self-directed, life-long learners and leaders in the
profession.
Curriculum Design
D
D
so
OTIPT CURRICULUM
Problem based tutorials, Inquiry Seminars, Clinical SkiIls Labs,
Independent Study (Block VI only)
6-week blocks of full-time
clinical fieldwork.
Curriculum
The curriculum is divided into seven blocks of full-time study over a
period of twenty-four months. The content of each block is profession
specific; however, there are occasions for Occuptional Therapy and Physiotherapy
students to study together. The total programme consists of
100 units of credit; 70 units of academic study and 30 units (30 weeks)
of clinical practice.
Northern Studies Stream
One of the unique features of these new programmes is the collaboration
between Lakehead and McMaster Universities. One complete fourteen
week block in each programme ispresented in Northwestern Ontario.
The eight-week academic component, which is offered at Lakehead University
is followed by a six-week clinical education component. Clinical
placements are arranged in Thunder Bay and surrounding communities.
Special seminars and projects enable students to develop an awareness
and appreciation of northern health issues. Lakehead University's
involvement in the international group of circumpolar universities and
the presence of a strong Centre for Northern Studies provide exceptional
resources for learning.
The northern studies stream is limited to approximately fifty percent
of each c\~ss. Funding for travel to and from, as well as accommodation
in, Northwestern Ontario is provided.
Teaching/Learning Philosophy
Using the problem-based learning approach developed .by the Faculty
of Health Sciences at McMaster University, the curriculum has been
designed to accommodate students who come from a variety of academic
and experiential backgrounds. One of the basic objectives of this
approach is to develop in graduates the skills to become life long learners
and leaders in their profession.
Teaching/Learning Methods
The curriculum of each programme emphasizes that the process of
learning is equal in importance to the content. To support this belief a
variety of educational methods are used including the following:
Problem-Based Tutorials
In small group tutOrials, students are presented with health care problems
carefully designed and selected for each learning block. These
problems promote the exploration of the underlying psychological, biological
and behavioural principles. The tutor in these groups functions
as a facilitator of the student's learning.
Clinical Skills Laboratories
Faculty who are clinical specialists in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
use a variety of educational methods to enhance the students'
acquisition of therapeutic skills. These methods include classroom demonstrations,
experiential learning laboratories, standardized patients,
and/or role piaying.
Inquiry Seminars
Seminars focus on issues of importance to the professions. Themes
emcompass concepts such as professionalization, wellness, disability,
pain, work, and leisure.
Clinical Education
Integrated with the academic component of the programmes, students
spend a total of 30 weeks in full-time clinical placements (five blocks of
six weeks). These placements are arranged in a variety of clinical facilities
such as teaching hospitals, commun'ity hospitals, health care agencies,
speCialized centres, and community programmes in Southern and
Northwestern Ontario.
Independent Study
The independent study may consist of an extensive literature review on
a selected topic, a simple research design/proposal, or participation in
an ongoing research study or clinical project. Evaluation of the independent
study is based on a learning contract which is negotiated by the
student with a faculty member during Block 5. The project is completed
during Block 6.
Student Evaluation Methods
A variety of methods are used to assess student performance throughout
the programmes, including written and oral evaluations, presentations,
and tests of clinical skills.
Admission Policy and Procedure
Enrolment in the second-degree programme in Occupational Therapy
and Physiotherapy is limited to 30 in each programme. Final selection
of applicants for admission is made by McMaster University. The admis-