Advancing Assessment and Reasoning Skills

Program Overview

This healthcare professional program enhances clinical assessment and decision-making skills through advanced assessment techniques, understanding of clinical reasoning, and evidence-based practice. The program features a holistic systems-based approach, interactive learning methods, and experienced practicing clinical staff as facilitators. It aims to equip participants with the knowledge and abilities to provide comprehensive health assessments, navigate differential diagnoses, and make effective clinical decisions in real-world healthcare settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program, titled "Advancing Assessment and Reasoning Skills," is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their clinical assessment and decision-making abilities. The program aims to equip participants with advanced assessment skills, a comprehensive understanding of clinical reasoning, and the ability to apply this knowledge in real-world healthcare settings.

Objectives:

• Develop advanced assessment skills for conducting comprehensive health assessments of service users.
• Explore the key factors that drive clinical reasoning and decision-making in healthcare.
• Enhance communication strategies and address legal and ethical issues related to advanced assessment.
• Foster evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making.
• Anatomy and Pathophysiology: Participants will apply relevant anatomical and physiological knowledge to analyze and interpret assessment data.
• Differential Diagnoses: The program explores the process of considering and differentiating potential diagnoses based on assessment findings.
• Diagnostic Tools: The program covers the use of various diagnostic tools employed in clinical practice.
• Management of Common Conditions: Participants will gain knowledge and skills for managing common health conditions encountered in their practice.
• Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making: The program delves into theories and methods underpinning effective clinical reasoning and decision-making.
• Advanced Communication Strategies: Participants will enhance their communication skills for interacting with service users and colleagues.
• Legal and Ethical Issues: The program addresses legal and ethical considerations related to advanced assessment and practice.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Participants will explore the principles and application of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making.

Structure:

• The program is delivered over two semesters, with approximately 12 taught days at the University, including both face-to-face and online sessions.
• There is also one dedicated assessment day.

Course Schedule:

Assessment:

• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): This assessment evaluates competency through direct observation, focusing on communication, history taking, physical examination, investigations, patient advice, and documentation.
• Reflective Case Study (2 x 2,000 words): Participants will write two critically reflective case-based analyses of their advanced clinical assessment, decision-making, and management of two patients within their area of clinical practice.

Teaching:

• Active-Blended Learning Approach: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, interactive group work, online learning activities, enquiry-based learning, and practical simulation sessions within the clinical skills laboratory at the University.
• Experienced Practicing Clinical Staff: Sessions are facilitated by experienced healthcare professionals.

Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Part time: £1,840 per 40 credit module 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Part time: £1,780 per 40 credit module