Our newly redesigned Physical Therapy Program at Queen's University is a competency-based education program. The competency profile of physiotherapists in Canada, developed by the National Physiotherapy Advisory Group, forms the foundation for learning outcomes of the physiotherapy program at Queen's, and the expected attributes of our graduates. As a learner in competency-based education, we will provide you with the maximum benefit as you progress through the milestones associated with the competencies, and trained to build your profile of the essential competencies. We will help you to train your profile of the seven essential competencies required for licensure.
We have designed a spiral curriculum through which concepts and milestones are revisited at increasing levels of complexity through the two years of the program. This supports your progression through the milestones to reach entry-level essential competencies. Through the spiral model, you will progress through the program by building competencies through milestones targeted at your level learning from year one, and progressing to year two of the program. Through the two years of the program, in order to build your skills as a physiotherapist, you'll revisit competencies and concepts and milestones at increasing levels of complexity.
Foundations of PT Practice: Sept 2023 to Dec 2023
Core of PT Practice: Jan 2024 to Aug 2024
Tradition to PT Practice: Sept 2024 to Aug 2025
Our program is also based on learning theories that help guide the teaching and learning activities. As a learner-centered program, we embrace adult learning theory in our curriculum. This means that we acknowledge you as an adult, and that you learn better when you're supported to focus on specific problems to solve, learn things that have immediate relevance and are engaged in planning and evaluation of your learning. Our curriculum is built around case studies, allowing you to focus on specific problems of immediate relevance. Plus, a new assessment tool designed specifically for our Physiotherapy Program here at Queen's allows you to initiate and plan your own clinical assessments as a self-directed adult learner.
Our curriculum also has foundations in Situated Learning Theory. This means that we will situate your learning in authentic practice context through case studies, simulations, and clinical placements. We will also emphasize collaborative learning through small group activities. As a member of the class, you will be placed in small groups for various learning activities, such as case discussions and clinical skills labs.
Finally, our curriculum has a foundation in Transformative Learning Theory. Our program will provide you with new experiences. Sometimes these experiences will challenge you to evaluate your past ideas and understandings. This can lead you to shift your world view through critical reflection, as you obtain new information and face new challenges. Our curriculum uses transformative learning to encourage compassion, cultural humility, and inclusivity.
Our competency-based program enables you to graduate as ready for practice physiotherapists with expertise in the seven essential competencies for physiotherapy practice. Collaboration, Management, Communication, Professionalism, Scholarship, Leadership, and Physiotherapy Expertise. These will all help you to be a ready to practice physiotherapist upon graduation. Through a student-centered active learning program, our aim is for you to graduate as competent and compassionate, ready to practice physiotherapists.