Clinical Reasoning and Diagnostic Skills (Level 7)

Program Overview

The Advanced Clinical Practice (Adult) module within the MSc/PgDip Advanced Clinical Practice courses at the School of Health and Social Care focuses on developing advanced clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills in adult patients. Students will gain knowledge and skills in managing clinical uncertainty and work in a "supernumerary capacity" with support from a designated "Practice Facilitator." Employment in a relevant clinical environment with access to clinical support and supervision is a prerequisite for this module. The module prepares students for in-demand careers in healthcare.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This module is a core component of the MSc/PgDip Advanced Clinical Practice (Adult) and MSc Advanced Clinical Practice (Adult) Apprenticeship courses offered by the School of Health and Social Care. It is only available to students who meet the prerequisites and have been selected for the course. The module builds upon students' existing knowledge of physiology, advanced assessment, and clinical decision-making, further developing their ability to utilize clinical reasoning and diagnostics in relation to a wide range of health problems experienced by adult patients. Managing clinical uncertainty is a key theme, as students begin to experience the realities of autonomous practice at a more advanced level.

Assessment:

• Element 1 - Exam (2½ hours)
• Element 2 - Practice Based Learning Record

Teaching:

• The module is jointly run by Nicky Bradley and Kerry Bean.
• Students are expected to dedicate the equivalent of 3 hours per week throughout the module (in addition to attendance at the university) as protected learning time to enable them to work in a 'supernumerary capacity' to focus on their clinical/professional development.
• A Doctor/qualified Advanced Practitioner acts as the designated "Practice Facilitator" to initially supervise and support the applicants' overall clinical development and facilitate completion of specified practice-based learning activities.

Careers:

• Successful completion of this module will result in a student who can demonstrate knowledge and skills that are currently in high demand with existing and emerging markets in health care.

Other:

• The module is only available for students who meet the pre-requisites below and who have been successful in the course selection process.
• Students must have successfully completed the Physiology for Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP_7_009) and Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills (ACP_7_010) modules.
• Students must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in one relevant clinical environment, with access to appropriate clinical support and supervision for the development of knowledge and skills to an advanced level.
• Employers must be willing to release the student to enable them to dedicate the equivalent of 3 hours per week throughout the module (in addition to attendance at the university) as protected learning time to enable the student to work in a 'supernumerary capacity' to focus on their clinical/professional development evidenced by completion of the Practice Based Learning record.
• Employers must be able to support the student to organise for a Doctor/qualified Advanced Practitioner to act as their designated "Practice Facilitator" to initially supervise and support the applicants overall clinical development and facilitate completion of specified practice-based learning activities.
• Employers must provide day-to-day supervision and support by an experienced clinical team to enable the development of the knowledge, skills, behaviours, competence and confidence commensurate with this level of practice.