Physiotherapy

Study environment and methods

Study environment

The study programme aims to ensure a comprehensive study process and research possibilities: comfortable and well-equipped classrooms and laboratories, e.g. Gait Laboratory, Rehabilitation Research Laboratory offering extensive research possibilities, IT infrastructure, a modern library enabling direct access to global databases and a contemporary Medical Education Technology Centre, other RSU structural units and cooperation partners.

Full-time studies involving multiple teaching methods: lectures, practical classes, workshops, discussions and independent work (group and individual projects and research project presentations). RSU has introduced an up-to-date e-study platform constantly offering new study opportunities.

The major part of the study programme consists of practical classes intended for the acquisition of professional competences. The practical part is implemented by working in small groups, thus ensuring an individual approach to all students. If necessary, individual consultations are provided and the recommendations and proposals of students are heard and taken into account. Students may use physiotherapy classrooms for independent practical training and this is a highly valued and option that students frequently make use of.

1^st study year

Students master the basic disciplines of medicine – anatomy, physiology, biology and microbiology, as well as special subjects – basics of physiotherapy, sports pedagogy, biomechanics, first aid, medical terminology in foreign languages, philosophy and ethics, research methods, biometry, basics of economics and business, etc.

2^nd study year

Students acquire the basics in clinical subjects – pathological physiology, propaedeutics of internal diseases, clinical pharmacology, clinical care, internal diseases, general surgery, and technologies of medicine. Special subjects include basic physiotherapy study courses – ergonomics, physical medicine, massage, sports pedagogy, assessment of functional ability limitations, general and communication psychology, environmental health, public health, etc.

3^rd study year

Students master clinical disciplines – neurology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, infectious diseases. Special subjects include physiotherapy in orthopaedics, internal diseases and geriatrics, neurology and paediatrics, general rehabilitation, basics of research methodology, sports medicine, health promotion and prevention in physiotherapy.

4^th study year

Students undergo clinical placement and prepare to write a research (Bachelor’s) thesis. The aim of the clinical placement is to strengthen the knowledge acquired during studies, to develop and improve practical skills in dealing with patients of different age groups and pathologies in preventing or reducing functional movement disorders and to acquire the competence in the selected profession that complies with the professional standards of proficiency for physiotherapists.

Placement locations:

• Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital Riga
• East Clinical University Hospital

Students may also complete part of their placement, worth 5 CP, at a medical institution of their choice, provided it meets the requirements of the Placement Regulations, in this way, for example ensuring more placement opportunities in regional areas and the possibility of getting a job there in the future. Each student must undergo placement in 5 different fields which allows them to strengthen proficiency in work with children, adults and elderly people having various diseases: orthopaedic, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary and surgical and to work with post-trauma patients.

Students may also opt to complete part of the placement in another EU Member State within the framework of the ERASMUS+ mobility programme. ERASMUS+ is a student exchange programme via which students from other countries may arrange placement at medical institutions in Latvia as well. This allows students to meet their future colleagues from all over Europe during their studies.

• Children’s Clinical University Hospital
• Hospital of Traumatology and Orthopaedics
• Riga 2^nd Hospital
• National Rehabilitation Centre "Vaivari",
• Children’s Rehabilitation Centre "Mēs esam līdzās",
• Rehabilitation Centres "Baltezers", "Sanare",
• Health Resort-Rehabilitation Centre "Jaunķemeri",
• Riga Health Centre.

 

Study methods

At the initial stage of the study process emphasis is on learning the basic disciplines of medicine, nevertheless, the students also start learning professional subjects already during 1st semester and these will proportionally increase in the 2nd and 3rd study years. Additionally the students master general and elective courses and undergo a 26 week placement in the 4th study year. Placement is one of the most important parts of the study programme, followed by work on and defense of the Bachelor thesis. To obtain the professional qualification, students have to pass the state examination.

The study programme corresponds to the requirements of the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations of the Republic of Latvia No.512 “On the State Standard of the Second Level Professional Higher Education” and other applicable laws and regulations. The contents of the study programme have been improved on the basis of recommendations of professional associations (WCPT, WCPT ER, LFA) and ENPHE (European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education) which RSU is an active member of.

Syllabus

Course code	Study course title	Offered by	Course leader	Credit points/ETCS
MK_061	Anatomy			6 / 9
REK_075	Assessment and Classification of Functional Capacity Limit	Department of Rehabilitation	Signe Tomsone	2 / 3
PMUPK_010	Basics in Psychotherapy	Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy	Gunta Ancāne	2 / 3
SL_013	Basics of Biostatistics	Statistical Unit	Ināra Kantāne	2 / 3
KPUMTK_010	Civil and Environmental Protection, First Aid	Department of Clinical Skills and Medical Technologies	Oļegs Sabeļņikovs	2 / 3
REK_085	Clinical physical medicine	Department of Rehabilitation	Daiga Pulmane	1 / 1.5
DVK_001	Dermatovenerology	Department of Dermatology and Venereology	Ingmārs Mikažāns	1 / 1.5
SVUEK_046	Economic andBasics of Business	Department of Public Health and Epidemiology	Anita Kokarēviča	2 / 3
AURK_003	Emergency Care II	Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care	Baiba Arkliņa	1 / 1.5
VC_039	English in Rehabilitation	Language Centre	Svetlana Muhejeva	2 / 3
REK_194	Functional Assessment and Treatment in Physiotherapy I	Dace Bērtule	Dace Bērtule	5 / 7.5
REK_034	General physical medicine	Department of Rehabilitation	Daiga Pulmane	2 / 3
REK_032	General Rehabilitation	Department of Rehabilitation	Zane Liepiņa	3 / 6
KK_007	General Surgery	Department of Surgery	Artūrs Ozoliņš	1 / 1.5
REK_029	Health Promotion and Prevention in Physiotherapy	Department of Rehabilitation	Māra Kuļša	2 / 3
REK_079	Hydrotherapy	Department of Rehabilitation	Sabīne Grīnberga	1 / 1.5
IUDK_004	Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis		Ludmila Vīksna	1 / 1.5
ISK_193	Internal Diseases	Department of Internal Diseases	Juris Karpovs	2 / 3
ISK_017	Internal Diseases Propedeutics	Department of Internal Diseases	Juris Karpovs	1 / 1.5
REK_226	Introduction to Professional Studies			2 / 3
REK_083	Kinesiology	Evita Legzdiņa	Evita Legzdiņa	3 / 4.5
REK_104	Massage	Department of Rehabilitation	Velga Gaļanska	2 / 3
RAK_002	Medical Technologies (Radiation Diagnostics)	Department of Radiology	Gaida Krūmiņa	1 / 1.5
VC_007	Medical Terminology in Latin and Greek	Language Centre	Aija Zilvestre	1 / 1.5
REK_129	Methods of Research I	Department of Rehabilitation	Lolita Cibule	2 / 3
REK_130	Methods of Research II	Department of Rehabilitation	Lolita Cibule	2 / 3
ORTK_003	Orthopaedics	Department of Orthopaedics	Andris Jumtiņš	2 / 3
PAK_038	Pathological physiology	Department of Pathology	Andrejs Ancāns	2 / 3
VPUPK_088	Pedagogy	Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy	Aira Aija Krūmiņa	2 / 3
LUSDK_211	Philosophy and Ethics	Department of Welfare and Social Work	Olafs Brūvers	2 / 3
CFUBK_050	Physiology	Department of Human Physiology and Biochemistry	Maija Rumaka	4 / 6
REK_057	Physiotherapy in Gynecology and Obstetrics	Department of Rehabilitation	Ailī Horna-Butkeviča	1 / 1.5
REK_063	Physiotherapy in orthopedics: course work	Department of Rehabilitation	Dace Stirāne	5 / 7.5
REK_011	Public Health	Department of Rehabilitation	Zane Liepiņa	1 / 1.5
DUGK_010	Women's health	Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology	Dace Rezeberga	1 / 1.5

Description of the Physiotherapy study programme

Description of the Health Care study direction

Admissions requirements

Admissions requirements

Study bases

Job Opportunities after Studies

Graduates of our programme work at clinics, hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation and health centres, in private practice, social care institutions, schools, kindergartens, sports schools etc. They carry out preventive and educational work and help patients recover lost functions after illnesses or injuries or to mitigate the consequences. The number of physiotherapists working in the area of health promotion and prevention may significantly increase in the future, as it is one of the fields of activity that is included in the Physiotherapist’s profession standard.

The results of the latest employers’ survey show that almost all employers surveyed are looking forward to increasing the number of physiotherapists in their medical facilities, both public and private. It should be noted that currently the private sector in physiotherapy is experiencing rapid growth which is also confirmed by data from the register of the Latvian Association of Physiotherapists.

Graduates

Our university teaches you to think and to be responsible. The decisions we make often define whether a person will be able to successfully restore his capabilities and return to society. It requires a tremendous amount of effort, but it also gives huge satisfaction when you see your patient taking his first steps for the second time in his life.

Jeļizaveta Lieldidža-Kolbina, physiotherapist, Salaspils Medical Centre

Further studies

Studies may be continued in the following RSU Master's programmes (only Public Health, Health Management, Rehabilitation, Social Work with Children and Youth are offered in English):