Entering third level education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all students to make the most of the opportunities Higher Education provides, so they reach their potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You will be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you will explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where students collect knowledge and various complete mini tasks. You will proceed at your own pace, though we expect all students to have completed their Into ARU exploration by week 6. Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete by that date, will be signposted to existing services so that we can be confident that they are supported.
You’ll understand the basic science that underpins occupational therapy, including body systems, structures and functions of a person as an occupational being. You’ll consider physiological and psychological components across a person’s life span. You’ll apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to occupational domains. You will be introduced to the process of analysing activity, applying this to occupations as a core skill of an occupational therapist. This module will include a range of learning including lectures, workshop, practical session and online resources.
You’ll start to build the foundations of becoming a professional physiotherapist. The aim of this module is to support your apprenticeship journey by providing you with the vital professional practice teaching, learning and study skills required to successfully negotiate higher education, and transition into being an apprentice physiotherapist. The course also aims to introduce the practice of reflection, as a lifelong learning tool to support your personal and professional development as you review and reflect on experiential learning – especially learning from your work as part of professional practice, maintaining a reflective learning journal will support your learning. Together we’ll consider and reflect on your scope of practice as you transition to an apprentice, at the start of your journey to becoming a registered physiotherapist. You’ll start to apply the underpinning professional guidance and relevant code of practice as you engage in the process of developing your professional skills, as part of the core skills of becoming an physiotherapist, considering how your role plays a part within the wider multidisciplinary team. We’ll explore key concepts of confidentiality, duty of care and communication, reflecting on the impact of your own values on behaviours when working with others. You’ll be fully supported via teaching and appropriate aligned resources to reinforce and assist in your professional development within this module framework which will benefit your journey in academic and technical knowledge related to person-centred care, underpinned by professional codes of conduct and Health and Care professionals Council standards of conduct, proficiency and ethics.
This module will encourage a deep understanding of the ethics that underpin health care practice. Relevant legislation and case law will be taught to underpin safe, legal practice. You’ll gain an understanding of clinical governance related to your developing practice and consider your personal and professional responsibilities when working with people to deliver safe and inclusive practice. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your professional duties, applying profession specific codes of conduct to enable you to work within your scope of practice. Challenging current ethical issues will be explored and discussed in detail. Key concepts such as consent, confidentiality and capacity will be discussed through the use of scenarios and reflection on practice. You’ll critically reflect on your own values and behaviours and how these impact on human factors, person-centred care and empowerment of people who use health and care services.
This module will explore the occupational being further and begin to develop an understanding of the occupational therapy process. You’ll develop your understanding of Occupational Science and explore its impact on a person’s health and wellbeing, and how this underpins occupational therapy and practice. You’ll also explore a range of theoretical frameworks. Using the Occupational Therapy process, you will start to explore the ‘assessment’ stage, building on your knowledge of activity analysis and development of a person-centred approach to a range of different assessment methods, including the role of grading and adaptation. You’ll develop and explore the impact of your therapeutic use of self with a diverse range of people using meaningful occupation.
Within this module you’ll learn how we can move health and social care so that it is truly inclusive and addresses the needs of all groups and communities. We’ll consider what health inequalities are and how they impact on the morbidity and mortality of individuals. We’ll explore how race, gender, disability, socio economic status and geography impact how people interact with health and social care services. We’ll explore the idea that health is an asset and how we can encourage and promote relevant and culturally sensitive practices that improve health. We’ll discuss Coproduction with communities, particularly those communities that have been marginalised by current and historical provision of healthcare services. The importance of evidence-based care and including individuals and communities in research also be discussed.
The role of occupational therapy is well positioned to support the health and wellbeing needs of society. As the health and care climate changes, there is need and a professional responsibility to focus health promotion and early intervention to enable people to live well in their communities. As the profession expands in breadth and scope, the value of occupational therapy can be more broadly understood and its ability to impact population needs across the lifespan are emerging both in traditional and non-traditional settings. In this module you’ll explore how the role of occupational therapy can expand in creative ways to position the professions unique skillset to support occupational well-being across society. You’ll develop skills in critical reflection and professional curiosity, using these to evaluate current practice and develop professional identity in a variety of settings. This will support your development into a practitioner with the transferrable skills and confidence to practice outside traditional health and social care roles, and to advocate for the role of occupational therapy in innovative new areas.
Within this module you’ll further build on your understanding and application of the occupational therapy process with a particular focus on intervention. You’ll develop your understanding of the impact of dysfunction on occupation and wellbeing across the lifespan, to the application of occupational therapy as a therapeutic intervention in the context of the occupational therapy process. You will explore a range of conceptual models used to underpin professional practice and apply these across a range of practice-based settings. You’ll consider the impact of yourself and adapt your approach to enhance occupational performance and empowerment for those you work with. You’ll consider these for both individuals and groups, using a range of case study-based scenarios, workshops, and reflection.
Ruskin Modules are a great opportunity to explore challenges and ideas outside your area of study. Working with students from a range of courses, you'll be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines, and apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, realise your potential and help you prepare for the world of work.
As you start to prepare to become a registered and autonomous practitioner, you’ll consolidate skills for practice as you reflect on your personal and professional journey as an apprentice. You’ll consider current practices and the potential developments of practice settings within your scope of professional practice. You’ll also consider how your professional role is positioned and interacts with the other professionals. Preparing for employability, you’ll consider your personal development needs to safely practice and to continue to thrive and achieve in your chosen career path.
We’ll develop your ability to critically evaluate evidence and apply evidence-based practice in health care. We’ll use group work and discussion alongside journal club-based activities. You’ll match study designs with clinical questions, learn how to locate evidence, critically appraise and evaluate evidence using clinical expertise and preference of people who use services.
This module will introduce you to quality improvement and management in healthcare, and the approaches to support continuous improvements to be made to the quality and delivery of care. You will develop an understanding of quality improvement methods and outcome measures, applying this knowledge to critically evaluate health service provision and areas for potential improvement. You’ll apply and extend your learning from your previous modules, evidence, and placement experiences to identify an area of improvement and develop a quality improvement project plan.