Analysis of Treatment Approaches in Clinical Practice

Students will have an opportunity to receive formative feedback on this component during their on-site study days and via email with the module leader. The essay should include:

1. A brief description of the treatment approach, and the context of use within  clinical practice. You may want to focus down on the treatment approach used within a specific condition and/or phase of recovery. Explain the rationale behind your choice.

2. Critically explore the evidence to support the approach chosen. Consider how  well the treatment approach has been demonstrated to influence recovery across the domains of the ICF (for example recovery at body structure and function, activity and participation levels and on the relationship between them).

3. Critically analyse the research related to the underlying principles of motor learning and/or cognitive function associated with your chosen treatment approach. This may include consideration of the physiological and behavioural mechanisms effecting recovery associated with your chosen treatment approach.

4. Consider the practical factors effecting the implementation of your chosen treatment approach within current clinical practice and/or implications with regards to service delivery.

5. Draw conclusions related to the overall relative merits of the treatment approach and include your own insights in relation to areas for further development.

Guidelines and Practicalities

· Your essay will be anonymous and will be marked by a member of the module team. There will also be a further marker for some essays, who will ensure equity and fairness in the marking across the marking teams.

· This is an exam situation and so it is imperative that you submit your work on time. Make sure you receive a submission receipt from Blackboard.

· The external examiners will moderate the process and the marks.

An exceptional and outstanding piece of academic work; showing advanced and critical awareness at the forefront of the discipline or professional practice. Exceptional use of appropriate texts, research and other learning materials, well beyond the taught content, displaying new insights and advanced scholarship; mastery of clarity in argument and communication. Exemplary.

An excellent piece of academic work clearly demonstrating critical awareness of the discipline, current research or professional practice. Evidence of originality and advanced scholarship. Excellent analysis in most areas; use of new sources and approaches evident; balanced in analysis and argument. Clarity of argument and comprehensive knowledge.

A good piece of academic work demonstrating the ability to critically evaluate. Good knowledge and understanding of the discipline or professional practice. Some ability to develop critiques at an advanced level and some evidence of originality. Good understanding of main concepts/current issues/developments, but could be further developed and strengthened with greater focus and more in-depth analysis. Good evidence of appropriate reading. Accurately and appropriately referenced.

QAA descriptor for a higher education qualification at Level M

· a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront oftheir academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice

· a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship

· originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline

· conceptual understanding that enables the student: - to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the  discipline  - to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.