At the Manchester School of Physiotherapy we have developed an innovative method of teaching. We have drastically reduced the number of lectures and instead, the academic part of the course consists mainly of group tutorial sessions and skills sessions. Before a tutorial you will probably be given a task or problem that you will need to research. During the tutorial you will be working in groups of 3-4 and will be able to explore what you have learned.

Physiotherapy is a very practical subject and a large part of the syllabus involves learning the many skills and techniques that a physiotherapist needs. Again, you will take control of your own learning and practice in pairs or small groups. The underpinning theory is very important and you will be encouraged to consider not only the 'doing', but also what effects you hope to achieve and the reasons why these effects would be beneficial.

In order to make the course as realistic as possible, we have introduced case studies or 'paper patients'. Therefore the theory and skills that you learn will be directed towards specific problems from real life, in the same way that a physiotherapist will encounter these problems in clinical practice. For example, during a tutorial, you may plan and carry out (practicing on each other) treatments that would be appropriate for the patient described and you will be able to justify your choices.

One example of a case based study might be a patient who is referred to a physiotherapist because of low back pain. In a series of tutorials and practical skills sessions you may consider:

• The structure and function of the spine
• Pathologies of the joints and soft tissues of the spine
• Diagnostic techniques for the physiotherapist treating the joints/soft tissues of the spine
• Assessment of a patient with a spinal problem
• Mobilisation, manipulation, massage, exercise therapy and electrotherapy in the context of problems associated with the lumbar spine
• Education for the patient to assist in self-management of problems associated with the lumbar spine
• Psychological and sociological implications of low back pain