The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation) is aimed at wellness and rehabilitation practitioners and recent graduates (in fields such as chiropractic, health science, massage therapy, medicine, naturopathy, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, sport and exercise) wishing to undertake a comprehensive programme of study in order to upgrade their qualifications and extend their knowledge and skills with the objective of obtaining employment or advancing their careers.

The areas of focus in this programme are:

Health and wellness
Holistic wellness
Nutrition for wellness
Pain management
Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation
Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health
Female health and wellness
Wellness for the older population
Massage therapy for wellness and rehabilitation

The programme will be delivered through a blended learning method. Full-time or part-time on campus options are available as well. Blended delivery allows students to study from anywhere. This course is taught using a mix of online learning, practical experience, classroom teaching and compulsory block courses in Invercargill.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Health Science (Wellness and Rehabilitation) students will undertake a coherent programme of 120 credits approved by the Programme Manager, comprising a compulsory paper,

WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles

and an approved selection of papers worth 90 credits from the following list

WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being

WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice

WR803 Case Management

WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health

WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation

WR806 Pain Assessment and Management

WR807 Special Topic

At most 30 credits from a relevant postgraduate programme

At most 30 level 7 credits from a relevant undergraduate programme.

Paper descriptions:

WR800 Wellness and Rehabilitation Principles

This course enables practitioners to develop knowledge and skills in lifestyle wellness coaching to improve people’s health habits and coach people towards achieving their personal, health and fitness goals. Practitioners will also apply the principles and practices of an interdisciplinary and client-centred approach to wellness and rehabilitation within their clinical or industry setting to enhance lifestyle management and healthy outcomes.

WR801 Advanced Practice to Support Older Persons’ Well-being

This paper recognises the diversity of the older adult age group and the complex relationship between determinants of health, health status and well-being. With the steady increase in the number of older people, many of whom will experience chronic disease states and/or declining functional abilities, it is vital that advanced practitioners are able to assess, plan, deliver and facilitate appropriate evidence-based care and services for this age group. The paper examines the scope of independent/collaborative practice in relation to health promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, preventative care, rehabilitation and/or palliative care and encourages the generation of new approaches to the delivery of expert care in different settings.

WR802 Advancing Specialist Practice

This paper enables students to develop advancing specialist skills within their clinical or industry setting. Through the use of a professional portfolio, students will demonstrate competencies consistent with an advancing specialist practitioner role: leadership, consultancy, involvement in standard and policy setting and monitoring, research and theory utilisation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expert clinical practice.

WR803 Case Management

Students will reflect on case management as a complete approach to wellness and rehabilitation, emphasising empowerment rather than dependence. This paper will enable students to approach wellness and rehabilitation from a holistic perspective through taking a specific client, or group of clients, with a common health need. Students will consider the role of client assessment, interventions, collaboration, and evaluation of intervention with the emphasis on the client's empowerment.

WR804 Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Metabolic Health

The paper will explore cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic health and wellness. This paper assumes knowledge of the body's response to normal anatomical/physiological function and directs the student towards a progressive and more critical understanding of altered, complex health states. This will include the multiple interrelationships of physical activity for daily living, exercise physiology and exercise prescription to complement and inform advanced wellness practice. Students will design and implement quality integrated wellness and rehabilitation programmes for clients with cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic health conditions. Students will reflect on case management as a complete approach to wellness with an emphasis on empowerment rather than dependence.

WR805 Musculoskeletal and Neurological Health

The paper will explore musculoskeletal and neurologic health and wellness. This paper builds on knowledge of the body's response to physical activity, normal anatomical/ physiological function and directs the student towards a progressive and more critical understanding of altered, complex health states. This will include the multiple interrelationships of physical activity for daily living, exercise physiology and exercise prescription to complement and inform advanced wellness practice. Students will design and implement quality integrated wellness and rehabilitation programmes for clients with musculoskeletal and neurological health conditions. Students will reflect on case management as a complete approach to wellness with an emphasis on empowerment rather than dependence.

WR807 Special Topics (2021)

This paper is used to explore current issues and make use of the particular expertise of individual staff members, including visitors. Students will critically examine recent developments and emerging issues in a specified topic area.

Nutrition for Wellness

The course will investigate current issues of nutrition as therapy for wellness. The emphasis will be on nutrition strategies for specific populations in New Zealand.