Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) — Auckland University of Technology
February 2016 – November 2019 · Auckland, New Zealand · Graduated December 2019
About the degree
The Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) is a four-year, full-time degree (480 points) and qualifies graduates to register as physiotherapists in New Zealand. The first year shares a health science foundation with other health disciplines. The second and third years build physiotherapy knowledge and skills across musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological practice. The fourth year is spent mostly on full-time clinical placements, alongside a research project.
The programme is built around person-centred, evidence-based and culturally responsive practice, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Graduates are trained to reason clinically, work with other professions, and plan and carry out their own research.
Clinical placements
I completed about 1,020 supervised clinical hours across hospital, private practice and community settings.
General Medicine, Auckland City Hospital — 2018
Two-week clinical assistantship (80 hours) in acute adult cardiorespiratory care.
- Introduction to working in a hospital healthcare team
- Clinical reasoning from case notes and patient interviews
- Hands-on assistance with patient care
Neuro/Surgical Services, Auckland City Hospital — Mar–May 2019
Acute inpatient placement (320 hours) on a neurosurgical ward.
- Conditions included acute stroke, Parkinson’s, MS, Guillain–Barré syndrome, motor neurone disease, COPD and pneumonia
- Neurological assessment and rehabilitation, including task-oriented training
- Respiratory management, including tracheostomy weaning
- Balance and mobility training, the Otago Exercise Programme, splinting and discharge planning
- Multidisciplinary team and family meetings
Sports Lab, Remuera (private practice) — Jun–Aug 2019
Musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy (312 hours).
- Back, neck, knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, and post-operative rehabilitation
- Chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and recurrent back pain
- Manual therapy, exercise prescription, education and behaviour change
Allied Health Community, Greenlane Clinical Centre — Sep–Oct 2019
Community placement (312 hours), managing my own caseload in clients’ homes.
- Mostly older adults, referred by GPs, support agencies and hospital services
- Stroke, Parkinson’s, falls, palliative care, vestibular and orthopaedic rehabilitation, and long-term conditions
- Exercise prescription, advice and education, and home equipment provision
Research project
Hawke, M. & Lobb, L. (2019). What is the relationship between injury and training load in New Zealand elite netball? Grade: A. Download PDF
Grades
AUT grades run from A+ (9 grade points) to C- (1, the lowest pass). My grade point average, weighted by course points, is 7.4 out of 9 (A-). That is roughly 1.5 on the German scale, converted with the modified Bavarian formula.
| Year | Course | Points | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lifespan Development and Communication | 15 | A- |
| 2016 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 15 | A |
| 2016 | Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication | 15 | A |
| 2016 | Health and Environment | 15 | A+ |
| 2016 | Therapeutic Touch in Physiotherapy Practice | 15 | B+ |
| 2016 | Fundamentals of Movement | 15 | A- |
| 2016 | Physiotherapy and Health Priorities | 15 | C+ |
| 2016 | Passport to Practise I | 15 | A |
| 2017 | Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics | 15 | A- |
| 2017 | Body Systems and Health Conditions in Physiotherapy | 15 | A |
| 2017 | Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation | 15 | A |
| 2017 | Analysing Health Needs | 15 | A- |
| 2017 | Principles of Movement and Function I | 30 | A- |
| 2017 | Principles of Movement and Function II | 30 | B+ |
| 2018 | Exercise-based Rehabilitation | 15 | A |
| 2018 | Managing Complexity in the Acute Care Environment | 15 | A+ |
| 2018 | Acute Care | 15 | A |
| 2018 | Musculoskeletal Disorders: Diagnosis and Rehabilitation | 15 | A |
| 2018 | Managing Complexity in the Community Environment | 15 | A |
| 2018 | Physiotherapy Professional Practice | 15 | A- |
| 2018 | Managing Neuromuscular Disorders | 15 | A+ |
| 2018 | Rehabilitation and Participation | 15 | B+ |
| 2019 | Physiotherapy Practice I | 30 | A |
| 2019 | Physiotherapy Practice II | 30 | A- |
| 2019 | Physiotherapy Practice III | 30 | A |
| 2019 | Research Project | 30 | A |
| Grade point average (weighted by points) | 480 | 7.4 / 9 (A-) ≈ 1.5 |
Course content
Year 1 (2016): Health science foundations
- Human anatomy and physiology, and the musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and nervous systems
- Psychology and human development across the lifespan
- Health, environment and the determinants of health in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Health promotion and the epidemiology of leading health issues
- Introduction to physiotherapy assessment, massage, and moving and handling
- Academic writing, information literacy and mātauranga Māori
Year 2 (2017): Physiotherapy knowledge and skills
- Functional anatomy and biomechanics, including gait, running and the lumbar spine
- Assessment and rehabilitation of the upper and lower body
- Body systems, healing and common health conditions
- Exercise physiology, exercise testing and prescription, and behaviour change
- Research designs and critical appraisal of health evidence
Year 3 (2018): Clinical specialties
- Acute care: hospital-based assessment and treatment of medical and surgical patients
- Musculoskeletal disorders of the spine: diagnosis, clinical reasoning and treatment
- Neuromuscular disorders: motor control and neurological rehabilitation
- Managing complex patients in acute and community settings, including pain science
- Rehabilitation, the ICF framework and interprofessional practice
- Professional practice, ethics and a hospital clinical assistantship
Year 4 (2019): Clinical practice and research
- Three full-time clinical placements (see above)
- Research project: literature review, methods, analysis and presentation of findings