Consultation and Assessment Skills (Level 7)

Program Overview

This module equips experienced healthcare professionals with advanced clinical assessment skills, empowering them to recognize illness early and contribute effectively to patient care. Through a systems-based approach, students learn to take thorough histories, perform comprehensive physical exams, and interpret clinical data, enhancing patient safety and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This module is designed for experienced nurses and allied health professionals working in clinical settings. It aims to provide students with the clinical skills and theoretical evidence to undertake clinical consultation and assessment. The module uses a systems-based approach to help students recognize the early onset of acute illness and provide objective clinical data to multi-disciplinary colleagues, enhancing patient safety and the effectiveness of patient care.

Objectives:

At the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Take a clear and concise medical and psychosocial history from patients.
• Perform appropriate physical examination including: chest/respiratory; heart/circulatory; abdominal; neurological.
• Recognise abnormal physical features in association with diagnostic test results.
• Be able to interpret clinical and psychosocial data and recognise the ill patient.
• Be able to suggest appropriate investigations and treatments.
• Take appropriate action.

Outline:

Structure:

• Eight structured study sessions conducted at weekly intervals.
• Sessions use a systems-based approach to provide clinical skills and theoretical evidence for clinical consultation and assessment.
• Designed to expose students to the systematic approach to physical assessment adopted by doctors.
• Encourages informal sessions with a medical mentor within the student's clinical area.
• Mentor conducts formative practical assessments towards the end of the module to identify knowledge and skills gaps.
However, it is mentioned that the sessions will use a systems-based approach to provide clinical skills and theoretical evidence for clinical consultation and assessment.

Assessment:

Assessment Strategy:

• Portfolio: Includes 3 written case studies (1000 words each) and a 2000 word case study.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Eight structured study sessions conducted at weekly intervals.
• Informal sessions with a medical mentor within the student's clinical area.
• Formative practical assessments conducted by the mentor.
• One-session summative practical assessment.

Faculty:

• Experts within various specialist fields support sessions throughout the timetable.
• Includes a pharmacist who delivers the pharmacology content.

Other:

• This module can be used as part of an accredited academic pathway (such as Advanced Clinical Practitioner).
• Health care professionals increasingly work outside their traditional boundaries of practice.
• The quality and safety of patient care is dependent on professionals having comprehensive and current skills and knowledge.
• This module fits well into the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice pathway.
• The underpinning philosophy of this module is that patient safety will be enhanced, and that members of the multi-disciplinary team will work more cohesively towards achieving the ultimate objective, i.e the best interests of the patient.