ESP curriculum fundamentals

• International Orientation
• Evidence Based Practice
• Multi Professional Healthcare
• Communication

In the first 4 semesters, each semester focuses on a patient category: musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, neurological or complex patients. All mandatory courses fall into 4 lines: Basics, Skills, Clinical Reasoning and Professional.

Basics

The basics line gives you fundamental knowledge of the human body. Subjects include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and neurology. This knowledge forms the foundation for making sound choices as a physiotherapist.

Skills

The skills line teaches you the basic skills needed as a physiotherapist. Subjects include applied anatomy and massage, assessment, interventions and clinimetrics. These courses connect to the semester’s patient categories. You learn through lectures, pair work, group work and self-study.

Clinical Reasoning

The clinical reasoning line connects the basics, skills and professional lines. Here you integrate knowledge, skills and attitude into real clinical settings. You practise with patient encounters, discuss cases and use clinical reasoning systems such as the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) and the Multi-Dimensional Load and Carriability Model (MDLC).

Professional

The professional line helps you grow into an independent and critical professional. The curriculum is based on the professional profile (KNGF) and set in an international context. Step by step, you develop knowledge, skills and attitude into professional competencies. These become an integral part of your professional conduct.

Year 1

The first year includes 80 credits in all course lines. You complete all courses within 1 year, including the summer period. The main goal is to give you a clear impression of the programme and the profession. You finish the year with a clinical internship in the summer.

In each semester you follow courses at school that give you the basic knowledge, skills and attitude of an international physiotherapist. Some examples of first-year courses:

• Anatomy – learn about muscles and bones needed for movement
• Assessment – test and assess musculoskeletal injuries of different joints
• Case Study – gain clinical experience with a patient and integrate learned knowledge and skills
• Study and Career Planning – build a professional attitude towards study and a future international career

Internships

Each internship of the 4 internships lasts 9 weeks. You work with a clinical instructor on site and receive coaching from an ESP supervisor at a distance. Step by step you integrate knowledge, skills and attitude from previous courses. This prepares you for your final level as an independent and critical professional with an international outlook.

You can also do a clinical internship in the Netherlands. In that case, you need to communicate with patients and staff in Dutch. To prepare, you follow a Dutch language course.