History Taking and Physical Assessment

Program Overview

This credit-bearing, clinically focused course trains healthcare practitioners to conduct comprehensive assessments of patients' health and social care needs. Through hands-on practice, students learn the skills to take patient histories, perform physical exams, identify clinical red flags, and communicate effectively with colleagues. The course meets the requirements for Level 6 study and requires the presence of a practice supervisor.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This clinically focused, credit-bearing course, which is offered at both our West London and Reading campuses, provides healthcare practitioners with the advanced knowledge and skills required to conduct a systematic assessment of patients’ complex health and social care needs.

Objectives:

• To equip students with the skills to conduct a patient consultation, including taking a patient history, performing a physical examination, gathering clinical data, and accurately recording findings, guided by a consultation model.
• To enable students to identify negative and positive findings, respond to clinical 'red flags' appropriately, and how to communicate clearly with professional colleagues.

Program Description:

• The course requires evidence of study at Level 6 (Degree Level).
• Students should have a practice supervisor in place throughout the module.
The practice supervisor should be an advanced clinical practitioner or doctor who can observe and support you in undertaking history-taking and physical assessment skills in a suitable clinical environment.

Assessment:

• Each of the assessment elements must be passed.
• OSCE pass/fail
• Case study 100%

Teaching:

• The course is taught on day release.
• Study days are from 9am to 5pm.
• Students must attend all six study days.
• The course will focus on:
• Using a consultation model to guide the process of taking a patient history, including the patient profile, chief complaint, history of present illness, past medical history, family medical history, social history and review of systems.
• Demonstrating a systematic approach using skills of inspection, palpation, auscultation and percussion will be practised, examining each of the body systems.
• Conducting a systematic head-to-toe physical examination of all body systems, including skin, head and neck, eyes, ears, nose and throat, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, lymphatic, and musculoskeletal systems.
• Recording clinical findings in a structured format, including the use of the SOAP note.
• Integrating an understanding of normal anatomy and physiology within the assessment of the adult patient, recognising key variations.
• Communicating with professional colleagues, including presenting a case verbally and in written documentation.