DA7011 - Health History and Examination

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn knowledge and skills for undertaking a general approach to health history and clinical examination of patients that will help you to achieve capability in the Clinical Practice pillar of Advanced Clinical Practice. You will cover biological systems to provide a systematic approach to history and clinical examination. The systems covered in your learning are as follows:

Cardiovascular system

Respiratory System

Gastrointestinal system

Neurological system

Examination of the ear

Examination of the eyes

Endocrine system

Musculoskeletal system

Genitourinary system

You will learn how to review clinical data to make (differential) diagnoses, produce patient management plans and evaluate patient outcomes contributing to the Leadership and Management pillar.

To help you to develop your research role in the context of the ACP role, you will learn to interpret clinical evidence to evaluate tests and investigations. This will involve understanding research methods and data applicable to clinical practice.

How will I learn on this module?

There are a range of approaches employed for your learning. There will be lectures based upon the systems and common clinical conditions. You will be expected to learn as a group and be involved in groups work to solve problems. You will undertake case-based problem solving both at the university and in clinical practice. You will explore clinical conditions on formal clinically based learning sessions. There will be demonstrations of clinical skills of which you will be required to practice in class as well as in the clinical environment. On-line material will be available to support your learning throughout the module. You will be allocated to clinical practice areas that will compliment your learning needs.

You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and access to a full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University which includes library and learning support outlined in the module handbook.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

During this module you will be supported in several ways. Firstly, you will be supported by the module tutor who will guide you through the requirements of the module and be a link with clinical supervisors. The module tutor will provide you with academic advice, guide you through the module assignments and OSCE preparation, and provide individual tutorials, as well as individual progress reports and feedback.

You will have an educational (clinical) supervisor whose responsibility it is to ensure that you are supported in practice, have the appropriate experiences to allow you to progress, monitor your progress, and provide individual feedback and sign off your competence documentation. Methods of learning development and assessment include Assessment of Clinical Expertise (ACE or mini-ACE) Case-Based Discussions (CBD), Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (MiniCEX), Directly Observed Practical Skills (DOPS), Electronic Care Records (ECR), Multisource Feedback (MSF) and Acute Care Assessment Tool (ACAT) where appropriate. These are recognised methods of assessment used by medical practitioners and endorsed by several medical colleges including the Royal College of General Practitioners. You will be required to engage in regular tripartite meetings with your educational (clinical) supervisor and Personal Tutor to provide support for your development.

The programme leader will be available to offer support and deal with any programme related issue that may arise.

Should you have any additional or specific learning needs, these can be discussed with the module tutor as and when they arise. If you have an existing disability which affects your learning or may believe you have a disability that impacts upon your ability to learn, you may be eligible to access help from the university student support team. The student support team will liaise with the module tutor to ensure you are offered appropriate support to help you get the most from your studies.

You will have access to both library and student support services. The latter is offered via a 24-hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and an Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online. You will be allocated an individual tutor for the duration of the programme who will provide appropriate pastoral support and guidance.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

K&U 1. Demonstrate a structured approach to the completion of a thorough and concise clinical history and develop mastery of targeted physical examinations through the successful completion of an objective structured clinical examination exercise.

2. Critically reflect on clinical decisions and clinical actions in relation to evidenced based literature and medico-legal requirements appropriate to your clinical role.

3. Demonstrate development of foundational history and examination skills through application in the achievement of clinical competencies within the practice setting and submit a signed record of achievement

Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):
IPSA 4. Effectively document findings and communicate with other members of the multi-disciplinary teams.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
PVA 5. You will work collaboratively with peers in a learning community, this will help you to develop professional networks and peer support opportunities, while formulating an action-plan to meet your own personal, professional goals as part of a strategy for lifelong learning and professional learning

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment

You will receive verbal formative feedback throughout the module from the module lead, peers and clinical educators and supervisors. You will undertake a series of meetings with your clinical educator to review your performance and organise appropriate learning and development.

(MLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Summative Assessment

The summative assessment for this module has two parts.

Critical analysis of evidence for an enhanced case history.

You are required to analyse the evidence used in the assessment of a patient. This means examining clinical decisions and application of an evidence-based approach. Critical analysis will include a reflective component aimed at evaluating your learning.

2,500 word maximum (100%)

This is an electronic submission via the university electronic Learning Portal. Feedback will be electronic and individualised to identify good practice and suggest areas for development.

(MLO 1, 2, 5)

A two-part assessment that must be passed. Part A: is a multi-station OSCE that assesses foundational skills for practice. Feedback will be electronic via the eLearning portal. Part B: is a Completed Competence Document for application and development of foundational skills assessed in part A. Evidence of application, progress and competence will include direct observation of practice (DOPS)/Clinical examination and procedural skills (CEPS) where appropriate in primary care, mini clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX), case-based discussions (CBD), Multisource feedback (MSF) including Patient satisfaction questionnaire PSQ)-where appropriate in primary care, acute care assessment tool-where appropriate (ACAT), electronic care records (ECR). You will maintain a patient contact log. Reflective accounts on practice are required. Your educational (clinical) supervisor will be the signatory of completion. This will be an electronic submission and feedback will be via the electronic via Blackboard. (MLO 2 3, 4,5)

Pre-requisite(s)

none

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module has been designed to enable you to become competent in the history taking and examination of patients that will help you to achieve capability in the Clinical Practice pillar of Advanced Clinical Practice. The module has been designed to provide an essential foundation for development of skills necessary for becoming an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) regardless of your clinical professional background. You will learn in both the university and clinical environments with the help of academic and clinical educators. Teaching and learning methods will include lectures, demonstrations, practical application, supervised practice, critical analysis of evidence and personal reflection. Your practice environment is expected to facilitate learning opportunities to enable you to gain experience and develop your skills and knowledge, this should be under the supervision of a competent practitioner.

You will be assessed in two ways. The first method of assessment will be a clinical review, which allows you to analyse the evidence base behind aspects of clinical assessment. Critical analysis of research and evidence is a recurring theme throughout the module of which you will be encouraged to become involved through formal teaching, case presentations, clinical practice, and module assessment. The second method of assessment is by a clinically focussed assessment which has two parts Part A: the completion of clinical skills in an examination scenario (OSCE) to demonstrate safety and competence at a set point early in the module; and Part B: completion of a clinical competence document under the supervision of your nominated educational (clinical) supervisor. Both part A and B must be passed.