Master vocational studies in physiotherapy represent highly professional education of medical personnel with an emphasis on professional theoretical and practically applicable knowledge.

A modernly designed curriculum, highly professional and renowned teaching staff, with extensive clinical experience, as well as renowned teaching bases, guarantee optimal education of highly professional medical staff at the level of master's vocational studies. The content of the study program covers all areas important for the education and work of a future master vocational physiotherapist in the field of habilitation and rehabilitation. The program is harmonized and to some extent improved in relation to similar study programs in the surrounding countries and Europe. The teaching methods are modernized with video presentations, demonstrations and full training of the necessary skills, discussion groups, public classes, elements of research methodology in habilitation and rehabilitation, work on computers, informatics and statistics, mentoring of each student and, finally, the creation of a final master's thesis. The essence of this study program is theoretical and practical education for master vocational physiotherapists who need to acquire skills that are applied in modern concepts of patient rehabilitation in various fields of medicine and for various diseases in neurology, orthopedics, surgery, internal medicine, sports medicine, etc. to master the handling of modern electronic devices for the application of appropriate rehabilitation procedures and to adopt the most modern habilitation and rehabilitation methods and techniques. The program is defined in accordance with the following principles, defined by the Law on Higher Education of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Bologna Declaration:

• Master vocational studies last two years (four semesters).
• Each course is taught in one semester.

The study program has 16 subjects, of which the student takes 14, while completing 240 hours of clinical professional practice and defending the master’s thesis.

• In the first year of study, the student has seven courses and professional practice.
• In the second year of study, the student has five courses (three compulsory courses and two optional courses), clinical professional practice, the course of the final master's thesis and the master's thesis.
• The student is burdened with active teaching for up to 24 classes, during one working week.
• The European system of transfer of points (credits) - ECTS is
• Master vocational studies have a total of 120 ECTS.
• The total number of ECTS for each course, which is achieved by the student, is based on the degree of fulfillment of pre-exam and exam obligations.
• Students are graded from 5 to 10, based on the European scale, which is the same for all European countries that belong to the European educational area.
• All courses provided by the curriculum are divided into compulsory (12) and optional (4). From the list of elective courses, the student chooses a total of two elective courses during his studies.

Continuous monitoring and analysis of study success is ensured. It is based on measures to be taken to improve the education process and study success.

The Master's study program  in Physiotherapy has a clearly defined purpose and role in the educational system because it enables the education of highly professional personnel with a wide range of knowledge and skills in the field of rehabilitation. The study program of master vocational studies in Physiotherapy has a clearly defined purpose and role in healthcare as well and responds to the growing needs for efficient and timely habilitation and/or rehabilitation, which include: care of children at risk in psychomotor development, an increasing number of patients with injuries and the consequences of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the elderly whose number and extent of functional disability is increasing in our society. Optimal theoretical and practical training of physiotherapists at the master vocational level is imperative in the process of implementing modern and current scientific and professional knowledge in habilitation and rehabilitation practices today.

A modern master vocational physiotherapist, in addition to mandatory theoretical knowledge, fully masters professional skills, optimal and effective kinesitherapy and physical therapy procedures, modern mottos and techniques of habilitation and rehabilitation of sick, injured and persons with various forms of disability and other clients who need additional health care, protection and functional training.

The process of professional education at the High Medical College of Professional Studies "Milutin Milankovic", along with constant innovation of curricula and the introduction of new knowledge and skills, also implies a nurturing attitude towards the development of humane and ethical principles of work in the health profession, in accordance with all accepted international ethical codes.

The purpose of the study program:

1. Raising the level of professional competences of  master vocational physiotherapists: a highly educated master vocational physiotherapist must, upon completion of master's vocational studies, be qualified for real, everyday practical work with patients in the process of habilitation and rehabilitation, i.e. to fully master professional skills, optimal and efficient procedures, methods and techniques of habilitation and rehabilitation. These knowledge and skills will enable a master vocational physiotherapist to work in the field of prevention and rehabilitation of sick children, adults and the elderly in health care, and in addition to work in sports clubs, fitness centers, spas, etc.
2. Alignment of education with the real needs of society and the healthcare system. Master vocational physiotherapists will contribute to the development of the health care system in the Republic of Serbia with their professional work.
3. Harmonizing the education of physiotherapists in the Republic of Serbia with the education of physiotherapists in Europe and enabling the transfer of acquired credits.
4. Introducing the quality system in education within the framework of international standards. A highly educated master vocational physiotherapist must also acquire the basic knowledge and skills required for work organization and management in certain sectors within rehabilitation centers and other health institutions.
5. The process of professional education at the High Medical College of Professional Studies "Milutin Milankovic", along with constant innovation of curricula and the introduction of new knowledge and skills, also implies a nurturing attitude towards the development of humane and ethical principles of work in the health profession, in accordance with all accepted international ethical codes.

 

The aims of the study program are:

 

1. To provide master vocational physiotherapists with the maximum of modern theoretical knowledge in medicine and related areas, necessary for effective work in the habilitation and rehabilitation of patients and other clients who are looking for additional health care, protection and functional training.
2. To provide master vocational physiotherapists with the opportunity to optimally master and realistically practice skills, i.e. procedures, methods and techniques, necessary for the processes of habilitation and rehabilitation of different populations of patients and clients.
3. To provide master vocational physiotherapists, as part of the most modern education and mentoring work, elements of control, monitoring and research in the process of early detection, functional diagnostics, habilitation and rehabilitation of different populations of patients and clients, which would be the basis for further improvement based on modern IT and statistical analysis process of early detection, timely diagnosis, habilitation and rehabilitation and improvement of the education of master vocational physiotherapists.
4. To provide master vocational physiotherapists, in addition to modern theoretical knowledge and practice and acquisition of practical skills in the habilitation and rehabilitation processes, with sufficient general and supplementary education through optional courses and educational courses and seminars.
5.  that through the entire process of education of  master vocational physiotherapists, the spirit of humanity, dedication and ethics, so necessary for the quality work of healthcare workers and associates, is demonstrated.

 

Competences of master vocational physiotherapists imply to:

• apply advanced theoretical and practical professional knowledge in the field of kinesitherapy and physical therapy independently or in a team,
• think critically and solve complex problems, using all the necessary equipment (tape, devices for ultrasound, electro, magnetic and laser therapy, apparatus for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, etc.), while respecting the ethical standards of the profession and the law,
• train patients to use aids,
• successfully communicate with patients and motivate them to actively participate in the rehabilitation process, but also to communicate with patients' families and members of the medical team,
• organize, control and train others to work,
• plan and conduct research in the field of rehabilitation, process data with the help of appropriate statistical procedures and publish research findings to the wider professional public,
• manage health documentation and evaluate the rehabilitation process,
• follow and adopt novelties in this field, constantly working on improving their practice.

Learning outcomes include, among other things, knowledge of the human body and its motor skills, knowledge and use of diagnostic procedures and instruments, performance of modern physiotherapeutic rehabilitation procedures and exercises, use of modern devices for rehabilitation, use of information technology and robotics in rehabilitation, etc.

Master vocational physiotherapists are trained to work on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in health institutions of all types, spas, sports clubs, as well as in private practice. We expect students who complete this program to increase their professional and creative efficiency, as well as to continue to improve their skills permanently.

 

CURRICULUM STRUCTURE

Number	Code	Course	Sem.	Active Teachhing					Other	ECTS	Obligatory/ Elective О/E	Course Type
				П	В	ДОН	СИР/ПИР
FIRST YEAR
1.	МСС001	Homeostatic Systems	I	30	30	0		0	60	4	О	Professionally Applied Course
2.	МСС003	Communication Skills in the Healthcare Team	I	45	45	0		0	105	7	О	Academic General Education Course
3.	МСС007	Health-related Quality of Life	I	45	45	0		0	105	7	О	Academic General Education Course
4.	МСС014	Motor Learning and Motor Behaviour	I	60	60	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
5.	МСС005	Disruption of Homeostasis	II	30	30	0		0	60	4	О	Professionally Applied Course
6.	МСС015	Assessment in Rehabilitation	II	60	60	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
7.	МСС013	Physical Medicine in Sport	II	60	60	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
8.	МСФ004	Clinical Professional Practice 1	II	0	0	0		0	120	8	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
Total number of classes				330	330	0			900	60
Total number of active teaching per year				630					900	60
SECOND YEAR
9.	МСС027	Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Rehabilitation	III	30	30	0		0	60	4	О	Professionally Applied Course
10.	МСС026	Occupational Therapy	III	75	75	0		0	150	10	О	Professionally Applied Course
11.	МСС028	Evidence-based Rehabilitation	III	45	45	0		0	90	6	О	Professionally Applied Course
12.	МСФ008	Clinical Professional Practice 2	III	0	0	0		0	120	8	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
13.	МСС006	Elective course: Prevention and Promotion of Mental Health	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
13.	МСС020	Elective course: Psychomotor Development of the Child and Stimulation of Development	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
14.	МСС021	Elective course:Psychology of Interpersonal Relations	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
14.	МСС022	Elective course: Rational Pharmacotherapy	IV	30	30	0		0	75	5	E	Professionally Applied Course
15.	МСФ023	The Course of the Master’s Thesis	IV	0	0	0		180	0	12	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
16.	МСФ024	Master’s Thesis	IV	0	0	0		0	150	10	О	Clinical Professionally Applied Course
Total number of classes				210	210	180			720	60
Total number of classes of active teaching per year				600					720	60
Total number of classes of  active teaching, other classes and ECTS for both years				1230					1620	120

 

Courses		Teachers