Basic vocational studies for vocational physiotherapist 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 basic vocational studies.The content of the study program covers all areas important for the education and work of a future vocational physiotherapist for certain areas 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 practice 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 preparation of a final paper.The essence of this study program is theoretical and practical education for 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, oncology, sports medicine, etc. , to master the handling of modern electronic devices for the application of appropriate physical modalities and rehabilitation procedures, and to adopt the most modern habilitation and rehabilitation methods and techniques.The program is structured in accordance with the following principles, defined by the Law on Higher Education of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Bologna Declaration:

• Basic vocational studies last three years (six semesters).
• Each course is taught in one semester.
• The study program has a total of 35 courses, of which the student takes 30, along with completing 1245 hours of clinical professional practice and conducting applied research paper through the subject of the final paper and the defense of the final paper.
• In the first year of study, the student has 12 courses (10 compulsory courses and 2  elective courses) and clinical professional practice.
• In the second year of study, the student has 10 courses (8 compulsory courses and 2 elective courses) and clinical professional practice.
• In the third year, the student has 8 courses (6 compulsory courses and 2 elective courses), clinical professional practice, the course of the final paper and the final paper.
• The student is burdened with active teaching of up to 23 classes during one working week.
• The European point (credit) transfer system - ECTS - is applied.
• Basic vocational studies have a total of 180 ECTS.
• The total number of ECTS, for each course, is achieved by the student 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 (24) and optional (6). The study program consists of six elective sections, of which four sections are with two elective courses for students to choose, and two elective sections with three elective courses from which the student chooses one. From the list of elective courses, the student chooses a total of six elective courses during his studies.

Continuous monitoring and analysis of study success is ensured, based on which measures are taken to improve the education process and study success.

 

The purpose of the study program is:

1. Raising the level of professional competences of physiotherapists: a highly educated vocational physiotherapist must, after completing basic vocational studies, be able to work realistically, on a daily basis, with patients in the process of habilitation and rehabilitation, i.e. to fully master professional skills, optimal and efficient procedures, methods and techniques.These knowledge and skills will enable them to work with sick and healthy people of all ages in health care facilities, climate spas, and in addition to work in sports clubs, fitness centers, etc., in the field of prevention and rehabilitation.
2. Alignment of education with the real needs of society and the health system. Vocational physiotherapists will contribute to the development of the healthcare system in the Republic of Serbia with their professional work.
3. Harmonizing the education of vocational physiotherapists of the Republic of Serbia with the education of physiotherapists in Europe and enabling the transfer of acquired credits.
4. Introduction of a quality system in education within the framework of international standards: a highly educated vocational physiotherapist must also acquire basic knowledge and skills for knowledge of organization and management in 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.

 

Objectives of the study program:

1. To provide vocational physiotherapists with the maximum of modern theoretical knowledge from medical rehabilitation 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 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 vocational physiotherapists, as part of state-of-the-art education and mentoring, elements of control, monitoring and research in the process of early detection, functional diagnostics, habilitation and rehabilitation of different clinical populations and clients, which, based on modern analysis, would be the basis for further improvement of the process of early detection, timely diagnostics, habilitation and rehabilitation and improvement of the education of professional physiotherapists.
4. To enable vocational physiotherapists to familiarize themselves with all forms of habilitation and rehabilitation procedures from early rehabilitation in intensive care units to acute, post-acute and chronic conditions of internal, neurological, surgical, pediatric, geriatric and all other patients in wards, in rehabilitation centers and in home conditions.
5. To provide vocational physiotherapists, in addition to modern theoretical knowledge and practice and acquisition of practical skills in the processes of habilitation and rehabilitation, with sufficient general and supplementary education through optional courses and educational courses and seminars.
6. That through the entire process of education of vocational physiotherapists, the spirit of humanity, commitment and ethics, necessary for the quality work of healthcare workers and associates, is demonstrated.

 

Competences of graduate students

The study program, Vocational Physiotherapist, is designed to enable students to acquire general and course-specific competencies. This study program will enable students to acquire general competencies:

• to work on disease prevention and promotion and preservation of physical and mental health in adequate health institutions, special institutions and centers, as well as as part of home treatment,
• to think critically and solve complex and unpredictable problems, using all the medical equipment and devices necessary for work, while respecting the ethical standards of the profession and the law,
• to use modern information technologies in habilitation and rehabilitation,
• to communicate successfully within the healthcare team, with patients to whom they provide basic psychological support and with patients' families,
• to plan and carry out research in the field of habilitation and rehabilitation, process data with the help of appropriate statistical procedures and publish research papers to the wider professional public,
• to lead teamwork, accept and take into account constructive criticism and comments and successfully develop interpersonal relationships in the work environment,
• to apply knowledge about complex physiological processes, i.e. disorders of regulatory mechanisms from the molecular level to the organism as a whole in making decisions in everyday clinical practice,
• to perform various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and techniques in habilitation and rehabilitation and maintain health documentation,
• to apply in practical work the acquired medical knowledge about the possibilities of assessment and improvement of quality of life, quality of life related to health and social participation, in accordance with the modern biopsychosocial approach in health work.

In addition to the above-mentioned general ones, Vocational Physiotherapist study program, will enable graduates to acquire the following subject-specific competencies:

• to handle all devices necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures,
• to apply advanced theoretical and practical professional knowledge in the field of kinesitherapy and physical therapy independently or in a team,
• to develop basic theoretical and practical issues that are dealt with by modern medical rehabilitation of various pathological conditions and diseases in the field of cardio-pulmonology, skeletal-muscle dysfunctions, neurology, orthopedics, surgery, traumatology, pediatrics, rheumatology, geriatrics, oncology, etc.,
• to develop and apply acquired knowledge in the rehabilitation of people with a wide range of difficulties in motor development or difficulties in motor functioning,
• to develop and apply knowledge and skills of assessment of various abilities and functional domains in persons with motor disabilities during rehabilitation,
• to understand the importance of physical therapy and rehabilitation from the very beginning of treatment in the prevention of complications, faster training and achieving maximum functional recovery at all ages,
• to independently carry out therapeutic procedures based on the treatment plan obtained by a specialist in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation,
• to assess and define the functional state of the patient and to independently set goals and make a rehabilitation plan,
• to competently and independently perform a series of tasks in the field of medical rehabilitation, i.e. retraining after a certain pathological condition in various medical fields,
• to understand the biological action of physical agents (thermotherapy, electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, phototherapy, mechanotherapy, local and general hydrotherapy, natural medicinal agents) on the organs of the organ systems used in the prevention and treatment of the sick and injured in order to prevent or reduce functional deficits and apply them in accordance with the indications and contraindications,
• to implement a complex kinesitherapy program in order to prevent and treat various pathological conditions,
• to adapt the rehabilitation program individually according to the patient's remaining abilities, in accordance with the requirements for increasing the patient's independence within the activities of daily life and business obligations,
• to apply all forms of rehabilitation procedures for the injured and sick, general and individual work methods, dosing principles of therapeutic procedures, indications and contraindications for the application of certain physical and kinesitherapy procedures.

The learning outcomes are aligned with the national framework of qualifications. They are directly related to the competences of graduated students and include the performance of various habilitation and rehabilitation procedures, treatments and techniques within the framework of habilitation and rehabilitation, handling of all devices necessary for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, use of information technologies, management rehabilitation process and documentation management, implementation of therapeutic educational work, etc.

Graduated students are qualified to work in prevention, habilitation and rehabilitation in health care institutions of different types (hospital and clinical departments, dispensaries and clinics) and special institutions and centers as well as in outpatient settings.

We expect students who complete this program to increase their professional and creative efficiency, as well as to continue training at higher levels of education.

 

Structure of the study program:

Number	Course code	Course	Semester	Active classes				Other	ECTS	Obligatory/ Elective	Course type
				P	В	ДОН	СТИР/ИР
First Year
1.	ОСС001	Anatomy	1	2	1	0	0	5	5	Obligatory	СС
2.	ОСС002	Physiology	1	2	1	0	0	5	5	Obligatory	СС
3.	ОСС049	Kinesiology	1	2	2	0	0	6	6	Obligatory	СС
4.	ОСС004	Social Medicine	1	2	0	0	0	3	3	Obligatory	АО
5.	ОСС005	Applied Medical Ethics	1	2	0	0	0	2	2	Obligatory	СС
6.	ОСС006	English Language	1	2	1	0	0	3	3	Obligatory	АО
7.	ОССФ01	Elective section 1	1
	ОСС037	Informatics with Statistics in Health System	1	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
	ОСС044	Specifics in the Provision of Health Services to People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders	1	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
8.	ОСС007	Pathology	2	2	1	0	0	5	5	Obligatory	СС
9.	ОСС050	Kinesiology 2	2	2	2	0	0	6	6	Obligatory	СК
10.	ОСС009	Clinical Pharmacology	2	2	2	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	СС
11.	ОСС051	Basics of Clinical Medicine	2	3	3	0	0	8	8	Obligatory	СС
12.	ОССФ02	Elective section 2	2
	ОСС038	Early Intervention Services in the Health System	2	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
	ОСС047	Promotion and Prevention of Health	2	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
13.	ОСС052	Clinical Professional Practice 1	2	0	0	0	0	19	5	Obligatory	СК
Total number of classes(lectures+practice+other) and credits per year				25	15	0		74	60
Total number of classes of active teaching per year				40
Second year
14.	ОСС053	General Kinesitherapy	3	2	3	0	0	7	7	Obligatory	СА
15.	ОСС054	General Physical Therapy	3	2	2	0	0	7	7	Obligatory	СA
16.	ОСС015	Surgery with Orthopedics	3	2	0	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	СС
17.	ОСС023	Medical Rehabilitation	3	2	0	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	СС
18.	ОСС024	Health Care in Rehabilitation	3	2	2	0	0	3	3	Obligatory	СK
19.	ОССФ03	Elective section 3	3
	ОСС041	Management in Health System	3	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
	ОСС042	Health Economics and Health Care Financing Models	3	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
	ОСС039	Security Risks and Threats to Public Health	3	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
20.	ОСС021	Neurology	4	2	0	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
21.	ОСС055	Clinical Physical Therapy 1	4	3	4	0	0	8	8	Obligatory	СК
22.	ОСС056	Clinical Kinesitherapy 1	4	4	4	0	0	8	8	Obligatory	СК
23.	ОССФ04	Elective section 4	4	2	0	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	СС
	ОСС067	Medical Wellness and Spa	4	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
	ОСС043	Health Education	4	2	0	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
	ОСС040	Health and Social Protection in Emergency Situations	4	2	2	0	0	4	4	Elective	АО
24.	ОСС057	Clinical Professional Practice 2	4	0	0	0	0	24	7	Obligatory	СК
Total number of classes(lectures+practice+other) and credits per year				23	17	0		77	60
Total number of classes of active teaching per year				40
Third year
25.	ОСС026	Personality Psychology with Mental Hygiene	5	3	1	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	АК
26.	ОСС059	Clinical Physical Therapy 2	5	3	4	0	0	8	8	Obligatory	СК
27.	ОСС017	Psychiatry	5	2	0	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	СС
28.	ОСС058	Prosthetic and Orthotic	5	2	2	0	0	5	5	Obligatory	СС
29.	ОССФ05	Elective section 5	5
	ОСС065	Massage	5	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
	ОСС100	Medical Rehabilitation in Pediatrics	5	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
30.	ОСС061	Research Methodology in Rehabilitation	6	3	2	0	0	4	4	Obligatory	АО
31.	ОСС060	Clinical Kinesitherapy 2	6	5	4	0	0	8	8	Obligatory	СК
32.	ОССФ06	Elective section 6	6
	ОСС066	Kinesiotaping	6	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
	ОСС062	Medical Psychology	6	2	1	0	0	4	4	Elective	СС
33.	ОСС089	Clinical Professional Practice 3	6	2	1	0	0	40	7	Elective	СК
34.	ОСС063	Course of the Final Paper	6	0	0	0	6	0	6	Obligatory	СА
35.	ОСС064	The Final Paper	6	0	0	0	0	12	6	Obligatory	СА
Total number of classes(lectures+practice+other) and credits per year				22	15	6		91	60
Total number of classes of active teaching per year				43

 

 

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