Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning

• Overview

  Using a mixture of theory, problem-based learning, simulation and clinical experience, students will be encouraged to explore and develop the key factors required to undertake a comprehensive system based physical assessment of a service user. Students will then synthesize clinical findings, integrating a systemic knowledge of anatomy and physiology, to formulate evidence-based plans of care. Assessment experience will be further enhanced through the continued development of clinical skills and role-specific knowledge within the students own clinical work environment.

  Course

  Highlights

  • Work based learning component to support the development of clinical skills and knowledge within a clinical environment.
  • Interactive and clinically focussed module content.
  • All sessions facilitated by experienced practicing multidisciplinary clinical staff.

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• Course Details

  Through undertaking this module students will develop the skills, knowledge, understanding and application required to undertake a thorough holistic system-based physical examination of a service user.

  Students will be able to critically select evidence-based approaches to take a structured and comprehensive history from a range of patients, utilising this information to guide the clinical examination. The module will cover the relevant anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to underpin the examination of each of the main body systems to aid in the formulation of differential diagnoses. The main systems covered through the module include the Respiratory and Cardiovascular systems, Examination of the Abdomen, Assessment of both the central and Peripheral Nervous systems, the Musculo-skeletal system, the assessment of the sick child, examination of the Eyes, Ears Nose and Throat, along with a two-day certificated Mental Health First Aid Course. Theories and methods underpinning clinical reasoning and advanced decision making will be explored, along with legal and ethical issues surrounding advanced assessment.

  The module is taught over 12 structured days using an active-blended learning approach, with each day split between theory and practical sessions utilising lectures, interactive group work, online learning and practical simulations sessions within a clinical teaching environment at the University. There is also a requirement for some individualised guided study between sessions. Students will be required to undertake 40 observed patient assessments within the students own or other identified clinical environment under the supervision of an experienced Clinical Supervisor of the students choosing. Students will be required to log their clinical patient examinations within an electronic online repository. Throughout the module students will have access to tutor support, both on taught days at the university and through email/telephone as required.

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  Additional

  Information

  Module Information

  This module links with Diagnostic Reasoning for Practice (NURM081).

  It can be taken as a stand-alone module or part of MSc Advanced Practice award; Post-graduate Diploma in Advanced Practice; post graduate Certificate in Advanced Practice or MSc Advanced Practice (Top Up).

• Careers and Events
  • Careers

    This 40-credit module at level 7 can be used towards a masters award in Advanced Clinic Practice for the University of Northampton, or can be undertaken as a stand-alone module.

    
• Requirements

   

   

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2019@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

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  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

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• Course Content
  There are two components of assessment within the module:

  • An Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), assessing the student’s competency to undertake a patient assessment within a controlled environment through direct observation. The OSCE assessment will last approximately 2 hours and will include 5 assessments. Each station needs to be passed successfully to complete this aspect of the assessment. This section has a 50% weighting to the final grade.
  • A portfolio submission containing the work-based learning component of the module and two 2,000-word critical reflections based upon the clinical examination of a patient seen in practice. This section contributes the final 50% of the overall module grade.

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  Use of clinical skills laboratory space and simulation facilities at the University. Work-based Learning component supports development of skills and experience within a clinical environment. Clinically experienced and practicing multi-disciplinary teaching team.

• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU

*Course data provided by Unistats