DHA Physiotherapist study plan
DHA Physiotherapist · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Physiotherapy Assessment and Examination
Map every component of a physiotherapy assessment (history, observation, palpation, ROM, strength, special tests, functional outcome measures) into a one-page checklist
Demonstrate and verbally justify goniometry and manual muscle testing procedures for the upper limb, lower limb, and spine
Differentiate validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity when selecting outcome measures for common presentations
Interpret a written case vignette and select the three most appropriate assessment tools with rationale
Your checkpoint
Completed one-page assessment checklist plus written rationales for tool selection across three case vignettes
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Explain the biomechanics and evidence-based management of the five highest-yield musculoskeletal regions (shoulder, knee, lumbar spine, hip, ankle)
Apply special tests to written clinical scenarios and justify positive/negative interpretation
Construct phased rehabilitation progressions (acute, subacute, return-to-function) for two common conditions
Compare surgical versus conservative pathways for one ligament and one tendon injury
Your checkpoint
Two written phased rehabilitation plans with cited special-test rationale
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy & Physiotherapy Assessment and Examination
Integrate assessment findings into prioritized problem lists and SMART goals for musculoskeletal cases
Practice timed case-based questions mixing assessment and musculoskeletal content
Identify and correct your three most frequent error patterns from practice sets
Summarize red flags requiring referral in musculoskeletal practice
Your checkpoint
Scored practice set (minimum 60 mixed questions) with a written error-analysis log
Neurological Physiotherapy
Describe upper motor neuron versus lower motor neuron presentation and map findings to lesion levels
Outline assessment and intervention for stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury
Explain neuroplasticity principles and apply them to task-specific training choices
Interpret a written neurological case and sequence a 4-week intervention plan
Your checkpoint
Neurological case study write-up with lesion localization, problem list, and 4-week plan
Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
Interpret written arterial blood gas and spirometry values and state physiotherapy implications
Explain airway clearance techniques and match each to a described patient presentation
Outline cardiac rehabilitation phases and exercise prescription principles with safety parameters
Apply contraindications and monitoring criteria for mobilization of a respiratory or cardiac patient
Your checkpoint
Completed interpretation worksheet covering five written ABG/spirometry scenarios with management decisions
Electrotherapy and Physical Modalities & Pediatric and Geriatric Physiotherapy
Match electrotherapy modalities (TENS, ultrasound, interferential, cryotherapy, thermotherapy) to indications, contraindications, and dosage parameters
State safety precautions for electrical modalities in patients with implants, pregnancy, or impaired sensation
Differentiate pediatric milestones and adjust assessment approaches across age bands
Apply geriatric considerations including falls risk, frailty, polypharmacy, and sarcopenia to intervention planning
Your checkpoint
Modality-indication-contraindication reference table plus two age-adjusted case plans (one pediatric, one geriatric)
Professional Practice, Ethics and Patient Safety & Physiotherapy Assessment and Examination
Apply informed consent, confidentiality, scope of practice, and documentation standards to written ethical scenarios
Identify patient safety and infection-control requirements relevant to physiotherapy practice
Resolve three written ethical dilemmas using a structured decision-making framework
Review assessment content flagged as weak in earlier practice sets
Your checkpoint
Three written ethical dilemma responses using the decision framework plus a revised personal weak-area list
Physiotherapy Assessment and Examination & Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy & Neurological Physiotherapy & Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy & Pediatric and Geriatric Physiotherapy & Electrotherapy and Physical Modalities & Professional Practice, Ethics and Patient Safety
Complete two full-length timed mock examinations under exam conditions
Analyze every incorrect answer and categorize errors by domain and error type
Re-drill the two lowest-scoring domains to a target of 75% or higher
Consolidate one-page summary sheets per domain for final review
Your checkpoint
Two scored mock exams with error analysis and seven one-page domain summary sheets
Milestones
Week 2: Achieve at least 70% on a 40-question musculoskeletal and assessment practice set
Week 4: Achieve at least 70% on a 30-question neurological practice set and submit the completed case study
Week 6: Achieve at least 75% on a 40-question mixed set covering cardiopulmonary, electrotherapy, and lifespan domains
Week 8: Score at least 75% on both full-length timed mock exams, with no single domain below 65%