Communication and Documentation in the Therapy Process, Block Course

22B1923

Bachelor

English

5.0

only winter term

only in the winter semster

1 semester

The module focuses on the specifics of communication and documentation in the context of modern physiotherapy.

The module serves to deepen and systematize basic knowledge of professional communication in relevant conversation phases and situations of physiotherapeutic therapy processes. The students expand their knowledge and experience in interaction with regard to aspects of patient centering and empowerment and implement them in the clinical reasoning process, taking into account the facets of a diverse and intercultural society. Physiotherapists are obliged to ensure and further develop the quality of the services they provide. The services to be provided must correspond to the current state of scientific knowledge and be provided in the required quality. As part of the therapy process, these services include, among other things, a physiotherapeutic assessment, the preparation of an individual treatment plan, the execution of the therapeutic treatment, the documentation of the therapeutic progress and, if necessary, the reporting to the prescribing doctor. The students acquire the skills to systematically evaluate and document the therapy process and thus to continuously reflect on and control their clinical actions.

LE 1: Professional communication in physiotherapeutic clinical reasoning

1.1 Basics of communication in the therapy process, especially in the subjective interview.

1.2 Communication with patients and their relatives

1.3 Communication with colleagues and staff (professional and interprofessional) 

1.4 Communication in special therapy situations (dealing with "challenging" patients, patients in stressful situations, harassment)

1.5 Motivational interviewing (MI) 

1.6 Eduction in the therapy process

1.7 Aspects of patient centering

1.8 Aspects of self-management, empowerment and recovery

1.9 Intercultural communication

1.9 Nonverbal communication (facial expression and analysis) 

LE 2: Documentation in physiotherapeutic clinical reasoning 

2.1 Legal basis and requirements for documentation in the physiotherapy process

2.3 Contents and standards of physiotherapeutic documentation

2.4 Forms and types of documentation

2.5 Documentation in physiotherapeutic first contact (differential diagnostic screening tools)

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Homework / Assignment or
• Portfolio exam

• Regular participation

The portfolio exam comprises 100 points and consists of an oral case study (FSM) and a presentation (PR). The FSM and the PR are each weighted with 50 points in the calculation of the overall grade.

The selection of graded and ungraded examination types from the given options is the responsibility of the respective instructor. In doing so, he/she will adhere to the respective valid study regulations.

The listed options for ungraded examinations in the module are understood as supporting instruments for the preparation of the graded examination(s).

For the types of examinations permitted in the module, the following information on the scope or duration applies in each case. 

• Term paper: approx. 10-15 pages
• Case study, oral: approx. 20-40 minutes
• Presentation: approx. 20-40 minutes
• Regular participation: see general part of the examination regulations.

The requirements will be specified in the respective course.

none

Students will...

• give examples of different conversation situations from physiotherapeutic practice
• identify difficulties in conversation situations and develop solution strategies
• know relevant core statements of basic communication models
• identify the possible applications of the most important techniques of conversation management
• describe practical and effective strategies for improving interactions with patients to start a change behavior.
• identify the legal requirements for documentation of the therapy process

The students...

• deepen their knowledge regarding the conduct of conversations in interview situations (subjective interview)
• integrate educational content into their therapy processes
• justify potentials of interprofessional communication for the creation of care processes.
• describe various documentation procedures with regard to different requirements (first contact).

Students....

• analyze different interview situations
• evaluate methods of documentation with regard to their possible applications.

The students...

• prepare, conduct and comprehensively reflect on professional discussions.
• assess their own communication as well as that of their conversation partner in order to conduct conversations in a constructive and goal-oriented manner.
• use different discussion methods (such as questioning techniques, change of perspective, active listening) constructively and in a goal-oriented manner when structuring discussions.
• implement systematic documentation skills in their physiotherapeutic activities.

The students...

• lead conversations in a goal-oriented manner and adjust to the conversation partner individually.
• have a sensitized perception in communicative situations with regard to the conversation partner, their own person as well as the environment and the framework conditions.
• engage in processes of self-reflection and are able to shape these critically and constructively.

Students will...

• develop further with regard to their communicative competences in the therapy process.
• represent relevance and implementation of communication and documentation in intra- and interprofessional context.
• review the requirements of documentation for their physiotherapy clinical reasoning process.

This module is related to the modules "Fundamentals of Clinical Reasoning", "Differential Diagnosis and Medical Screening", and the Ethics subsection.

• Physiotherapy B.Sc. (01.03.2025)

• Zalpour, Christoff

• Zalpour, Christoff
• Piekartz, Herman Josef Maria