Critically discuss the impact of (…insert one of the following topics…) on care quality. Your answer
should include reference to Physiotherapy practice and the wider health care setting
 Enhanced recovery programmes
 Person centred care
In your answer, you must focus on a particular clinical area/patient population of your choice
(which must be clearly defined within the assignment title).
e.g. Critically discuss the impact of enhanced recovery programmes on care quality for patients
undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery
OR
e.g. Critically discuss the impact of enhanced recovery programmes on care quality for patients with
cancer
OR
e.g. Critically discuss the impact of person-centred care on care quality for patients with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
e.g. Critically discuss the impact of person-centred care on care quality for patients with chronic low
back pain
In view of the word count limitations (4000 words), your answer should focus predominantly on
health care delivery (although social care perspectives can also be included).
Writing your assignment
Introduction
This section should introduce the topic area to the reader, by providing relevant background and
context. In ‘setting the scene’ you may need to:
 provide relevant definitions
 highlight why your chosen topic is relevant to care quality
 provide a brief historical overview of policy, recent events and publications that emphasise
the importance of the topic to contemporary health (and social care) practice.
Conclude the introduction by stating the aim of the assignment. This should be followed by a
numbered list of objectives. Aims are statements of intent. They are usually written in broad terms.
They set out what you hope to achieve at the end of the project. Objectives, on the other hand,
should be specific statements that define measurable outcomes, e.g. what steps will be taken to
achieve the desired outcome.
Main body
This is the part of your assignment where you critically discuss the topic area in more depth. Aim to
present balanced and referenced argument(s) discussing the different views pertinent to your chosen
topic. You may find the inclusion of subheadings helpful.
You may wish to consider the following:
 Is there evidence that this particular approach has prompted quality improvement?
 What is the strength of this evidence (quality/quantity)
 Are there any barriers to the initiatives discussed and (how) could these be overcome?
 What is the proven significance of your chosen topic area to improving care quality?
The assignment question indicates that you should discuss these types of issues with reference to
physiotherapy practice and the wider health care setting.
Marks will be allocated in relation to your ability to address the purpose of the assignment
comprehensively and present detailed knowledge of the topic area. Critical reasoning should be
evident throughout this section and ideas developed and justified based on a wide range of sources
which have been analysed, applied and discussed.
Conclusion
In this section you should summarise your arguments in order to draw justified conclusions. You
should then make clear recommendations for future practice. Please also remember that new
information should not be introduced at this stage!
Presentation/referencing etc.
Further guidelines are on VITAL in the assessment folder
Assignment support
Support will be offered for this assignment in the form of:
 An assessment ‘overview’ in semester 1
 Timetabled sessions offering assignment support
 An opportunity to submit a plan for electronic formative feedback.
 Drop in sessions with the module leader