Additional pathology and physiotherapy of the nervous system

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

• Describe the epidemiological characteristics, the main physiopathological mechanisms and the clinical presentations of the different pathologies of the neurological system as well as the particularities of this system in children. (2.1, 11.2)
• Explain the basic principles of clinical tests/tools, their validation/use and psychometric qualities (2.2, 11.2)
• Explain the basic principles of the clinical examination and its interpretation (2.3)
• Explain the key elements in making a diagnosis in physiotherapy and rehabilitation (2.4)
• Identify the situations for which the patient must be referred (2.5)
• Explain the basic principles of prognosis (2.6)
• Explain the basic principles of ongoing assessment and adaptation of treatment (3.2)
• Design and carry out treatments, prescribe and demonstrate exercises rigorously and justify them (2.8, 3.1)
• Explain the therapeutic interventions and how they are planned for typical management (guidelines): definition of functional objectives, task analysis, treatment planning based on the assessment and objectives, technical procedures where appropriate, exercises and therapeutic education (patient-centred communication) (2.8, 3.1)
• Explaining the first reflexes to have in emergency situations involving syncope or an epileptic seizure (8.3)

• Describe and interpret relevant medical, psychosocial and contextual information (biopsychosocial approach) from the medical record, history and questionnaires (2.2).
• identify the relevant clinical tools/tests for carrying out a clinical examination, giving reasons for the choice (validation; psychometric quality, etc.), and apply them rigorously and appropriately to the patient (2.3, 4.3)
• make a functional diagnosis by interpreting the information gathered during the history-taking and clinical examination (including signs, physical examination, paraclinical examination, subjective assessment) and justify it (2.4, 1.2)
• Identify the risk factors, signs and symptoms of specific pathologies or signs of aggravation requiring referral to the appropriate clinician, specifying the degree of urgency (2.5) 
• Identify and explain the clinical, personal and contextual factors which may influence  prognosis, establish a prognosis and justify it (2.6)
• Formulate functional objectives for patient management and plan therapeutic intervention on the basis of task analysis; explain the reasoning (2.7 and 2.8, 1.2)
• Carry out therapeutic interventions (design of exercises, any technical procedures, therapeutic education) adapted to the patient's profile, using a didactic approach (3.1, 5.4)
• Adapt his/her treatment according to the stage of the pathology and the patient's progress (3.2)
• Explaining, justifying and discussing therapeutic options and their consequences with a patient and/or his/her family, in a respectful and personalised manner, using accessible language (9.1)