Flinders University has approximately 16,000 students and 1600 staff. International students make up 10% of our on-campus student population from more than 80 countries.

Flinders is ranked:
•     Ninth of the 37 Australian universities
•     In the best 100 research institutions in the Asia-Pacific region
•     In the top 500 in the world (2005 Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation

The 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation allows students to undertake a general studies option or select a specialty stream in either the neurological or psychosocial aspects of clinical rehabilitation.

The 18 units comprise one core topic (6 units) and two electives (6 units each). The course aims to provide opportunities for individuals from any health professional background to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes in the area of clinical rehabilitation. Students can expect to gain an understanding of the principles and practice of clinical rehabilitation and will have an opportunity to study specialty areas of rehabilitation practice through undertaking a selection of elective topics of relevance to their workplace or specific field of interest.

Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation

The 36 units of the Graduate Diploma comprise one core topic (6 units) and five electives (6 units each), and needs to be completed within two years part-time.

The Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation contains a core element of the Graduate Certificate program by exposing students to the principles and practice of clinical rehabilitation. As in the Graduate Certificate, students also have the opportunity of studying in an area relevant to their field of clinical practice but in a broader program.

The Graduate Diploma is fully articulated with the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation meaning that students who have met the requirements of the Graduate Certificate (18 units) can use these units to contribute towards the 36 units for the award of Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation.

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation

The 54-unit Master of Clinical Rehabilitation coursework needs to be completed within three years part-time. In addition to the material covered in the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation, students in the coursework stream will receive training in research methods and will have the opportunity to develop research expertise in the area of clinical rehabilitation and apply this to a specific research project.

The Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (coursework) is fully articulated with the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation meaning that students who have met the requirements of the Graduate Diploma

Topic Outlines 2008

REHB8001 Principles and Practice of Clinical Rehabilitation

This 6-unit topic is required to be completed by all students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation, Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation and Master of Clinical Rehabilitation. The topic has six content areas: impairment, disability and handicap – concepts and epidemiology; the origins and development of clinical rehabilitation; models of clinical rehabilitation; assessment of rehabilitation needs; clinical rehabilitation; putting principles into practice and outcome measurement in clinical rehabilitation.

REHB8002 Psychosocial Aspects of Clinical Rehabilitation

This 6-unit topic is an elective available to students enrolled in all Clinical Rehabilitation courses. This topic explores the sociological and psychological theories relating to impairment, disability and handicap. In particular, the part played by motivation and cultural factors in the rehabilitation process are explored and common social and psychological disorders which arise in rehabilitation are addressed.

REHB8003 Counselling and Education in Clinical Rehabilitation

This 6-unit topic is an elective available to students enrolled in all Clinical Rehabilitation courses, non-award students and students undertaking other postgraduate health-related awards. The topic has four content areas: counselling in a clinical rehabilitation setting: the need and the key elements; counselling skills in specific clinical situations; conflict resolution; adult learning principles and how to apply them in the clinical rehabilitation context.

REHB8004 Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury and Related Conditions

This 6-unit topic is an elective available to students enrolled in all Clinical Rehabilitation courses, non-award students and students undertaking other postgraduate health-related awards. The topic utilises a problem-based learning approach. Various categories of traumatic brain injury are presented in case scenario form.

These scenarios serve as a springboard for learning about epidemiology and incidence, pathology, clinical features, prognosis, common cognitive and behavioural syndromes, assessment approaches, rehabilitation approaches, subjective experiences and the rehabilitation outcomes of traumatic brain injury.

REHB8005 Rehabilitation Following Stroke

This 6-unit topic is an elective available to students enrolled in all Clinical Rehabilitation courses, non-award students and students undertaking other postgraduate health-related awards. This topic is based around six case studies, which offer a framework to introduce issues in stroke rehabilitation. Students will learn about the epidemiology of stroke, the structure and function of the brain, rehabilitation programs and the roles of the different professionals commonly involved in stroke rehabilitation.

REHB8006 Rehabilitation of Degenerative Neurological Disorders

This 6-unit topic is an elective available to students enrolled in all Clinical Rehabilitation courses, non-award students and students undertaking other postgraduate health-related awards. This topic is built around six case studies of common neurodegenerative diseases, two of which are presented at both early and later stages of the disease in order to show disease progression. Aspects covered in the case studies include neuroanatomy and physiology, pathology, natural history, clinical features, diagnosis, symptom assessment and management, rehabilitation strategies and psychosocial impact on the person with the disease and their family/carers.

REHB8007 Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Injuries

This 6-unit topic is an elective available to students enrolled in all Clinical Rehabilitation courses, non-award students and students undertaking other postgraduate health-related awards. This topic utilises a problem-based learning approach and is based around a series of case studies of patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The subjects covered include: management of low back pain, fractured neck of femur, anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction, shoulder joint pain, flexor tendon injury of the hand and lower limb amputation.

REHB8010 Clinical Rehabilitation Practice

This 12-unit topic is an internal elective to students enrolled in all clinical rehabilitation courses. Clinical Rehabilitation Practice will involve clinical placement in a rehabilitation setting for the duration of the semester. Students will observe diagnosis and natural history of common conditions requiring rehabilitation, obtain clinical assessment skills, understand the rehabilitation plan, treatment, evaluation and the team approach.

(Note this topic is yet to be confirmed for delivery in Singapore).

REHB9100A/REHB9100B Research Project in Clinical Rehabilitation

These 6-unit topics are required to be completed by all students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (coursework). The topics involve independent reading and a research project in the area of clinical rehabilitation. The research project shall demonstrate that the student can identify a clinical problem, undertake a critical analysis of relevant literature, conduct a small scale research project and report on the findings.

Note that both REHB9100A and REHB9100B must be completed in consecutive semesters as they are assessed as a continuum.

Research topic - PHCA8007 Research in Primary Health Care: Theory Practice

This 6-unit topic introduces qualitative and quantitative research relevant to primary health care. The first block, Introduction to research and critical appraisal, begins by discussing research in general terms, then introduces epistemology (theory of knowledge), theoretical perspectives, methodology, and methods. The literature searching, analysis, and synthesis are discussed. The second block, Qualitative methodologies and methods, introduces a number of established methodologies and methods in qualitative research, including evaluation, ethnography, and action research, then focuses on sampling and rigour. The third block, Quantitative methodologies and methods, focuses on quantitative research, including surveys and basic concepts in epidemiological research. The final block, Structuring a research proposal, focuses on development of good research proposals, including funding and ethics. This topic must be completed to fulfil the requirements of the Master of Clinical Rehabilitation.

Course Delivery

Flinders University teaching staff will provide 3-4 topics per year via 4-day intensives in Singapore. Online tutorial support will be available at other times. Research projects will also have a local tutor.


Course Fees

Refer to the SGH - Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PGAHI).


Who Should Apply

All health professionals, including allied health and nurses, interested in extending their skills and knowledge in contemporary rehabilitation.


To Apply

For the September 2008 intake, applications on prescribed forms must be lodged by 31 July 2008.

Admissions/Prospective Student Office,
SGH - Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PGAHI)
Singapore General Hospital
Bowyer Block B, Level 2
Outram Road
Singapore 169608

Further Information

Person-to-Contact:      Ms Lisa Koh 
Contact no:                    6326 6077
Fax:                                 6327 9507
Email:                             lisa.koh.s.y@sgh.com.sg


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