Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning

Program Overview

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This advanced healthcare module enhances clinical assessment and decision-making skills, preparing students for advanced roles in healthcare. It covers clinical assessment, decision making, problem solving, professional autonomy, and communication skills, equipping students with the knowledge and abilities to make informed decisions and provide optimal patient care.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

A number of key skills have been identified as necessary to undertake this role which includes making professionally autonomous decisions, assessing needs using highly developed knowledge and skills and using decision making and problem solving skills. This module will focus on developing and advancing the students skills in these areas. Consolidation of the taught skill is expected to continue in the clinical environment throughout the duration of the programme.

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Objectives:

• To develop and enhance the knowledge base and practice of health assessment.
• To facilitate the development of problem solving skills.
• To prepare students for taking on more advanced roles in healthcare.
• To advance students' skills in making professionally autonomous decisions, assessing needs, and using decision making and problem solving skills.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Clinical assessment
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Professional autonomy
• Communication skills

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Structure:

• The module is delivered over a 12-week period.
• There are three contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials).
• There are two items of assessment:
• An essay
• A presentation

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Course Schedule:

• Week 1: Introduction to clinical assessment
• Week 2: History taking and physical examination
• Week 3: Mental state examination
• Week 4: Decision making
• Week 5: Problem solving
• Week 6: Professional autonomy
• Week 7: Communication skills
• Week 8: Case studies
• Week 9: Revision
• Week 10: Examination
• Week 11: Presentation preparation
• Week 12: Presentations
• Students will learn how to collect and interpret data from patients.
• They will also learn how to document their findings in a clear and concise manner.

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Module 2: Decision Making

• This module will focus on the decision-making process in healthcare.
• Students will learn how to identify and analyze problems.
• They will also learn how to develop and implement solutions.

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Module 3: Problem Solving

• This module will focus on problem-solving skills in healthcare.
• Students will learn how to identify and analyze problems.
• They will also learn how to develop and implement solutions.

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Module 4: Professional Autonomy

• This module will focus on the concept of professional autonomy in healthcare.
• Students will learn about the ethical and legal responsibilities of healthcare professionals.
• They will also learn how to make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients.

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Module 5: Communication Skills

• This module will focus on communication skills in healthcare.
• Students will learn how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
• They will also learn how to use communication skills to resolve conflict and build relationships.

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Assessment:

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Assessment methods:

• Essay
• Presentation

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Assessment criteria:

• Clarity of writing
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills

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Teaching:

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Teaching methods:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Case studies

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Faculty:

• The module is taught by a team of experienced healthcare professionals.
• All staff are qualified to teach in higher education.
• Most staff hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher.

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Unique approaches:

• The module includes a number of case studies, which allow students to apply their learning to real-world situations.
• The module also includes a presentation, which allows students to develop their communication skills.

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Careers:

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Potential career paths:

• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• Clinical nurse specialist
• Healthcare administrator
• Public health professional

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Opportunities:

• The module will prepare students for a variety of career opportunities in healthcare.
• Students will be able to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and public health agencies.

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Outcomes:

• Graduates of the module will be able to:
• Perform comprehensive health assessments.
• Make sound clinical decisions.
• Solve problems effectively.
• Communicate effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals.

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Other: