OD4016 - Anatomy & Physiology for Operating Department Practice

What will I learn on this module?

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) require an in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and physical and mental health problems across the age spectrum. These are considered an essential basis for safe and effective practice. This module will enable you to apply biosciences to understand the determinants of health- social, psychological, behavioural, environmental and genomic factors and how they impact on health at a physical and psychological level. You will develop an understanding of the functioning of the body at different levels (cell, tissue, organ, system) and how this knowledge will assist you in delivering safe, holistic, compassionate perioperative care.
You will enhance your understanding of the structure and function of the human body by exploring the complex relationship between health, anatomy, physiology and disease. This will be achieved through an exploration of diseases and conditions that arise from a malfunction of the systems of the body, which will include an element of biochemistry and genomics. Pharmacology will be examined in relation to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. You will analyse and apply this information to help you examine the role of the ODP in anticipating the needs of patients, making care decisions and supporting an individual with illness.

During this module you will explore the following concepts:

• Body systems, altered pathology and their relationship to disease and illness
• Assessment and anticipating changing health needs
• Understanding the fundamentals of safe and quality care provision

How will I learn on this module?

On this module, you will learn by attending workshops hosted on campus. The strategies adopted during workshops will include presentations of your own work and that of your peer group, enquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, debates, journal clubs and group work. Members of the module team will facilitate the workshops.

You will learn by preparing to attend workshops. This preparatory work will be achieved by engaging in Tutor Guided Independent Study. The Tutor Guided materials will include interactive learning packages, electronic lectures, and workbooks. The Module Team will provide advice on how and when to engage in your Tutor Guided Independent Study.

On this module, we advise you to learn by reading. Although this may seem obvious we do not feel that it can be over emphasised .Reading is vital for your academic and clinical development. Reading will provide technical information to enhance the evidence base for your clinical practice. Reading is also necessary for you to appraise the merits of a variety of writing styles, adopting the strongest and best of the characteristics in your own work to demonstrate progression in your scholarship.

You will be engaging in Student Independent Learning. You will be able to choose what you would like to study in more detail. You can spend time preparing for your module assessment and /or generating evidence for your clinical practice placement.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Throughout the module, you will be supported by experienced academic staff from a range of specialist backgrounds within the healthcare professions. The academic staff involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic coaching to ensure you confidently engage with the requirements of this module. You will be provided with the opportunity to prepare for your assessment during the workshops and seminars during the module delivery. You will also be provided with structured feedback and feedforward on completion of formative assessment activities. Your peers are also a key support mechanism within this module. Many activities undertaken within workshop and seminar sessions are aimed at facilitating peer discussion and learning from each other.
Additional study support is available from Ask 4 Help (on-line or face-to-face staff support) situated at Student Central at each campus. On-line resources and student support services can be accessed within the library and via the library homepage where there are a variety of study skills resources that can support your learning.
Extensive support from the programme team such as your Personal Tutor and the Programme Leader are also available to you throughout this module delivery.

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?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Develop an understanding of applied anatomy, physiology, psychosocial principles and pharmacology within the concept of health and illness.

2. Describe the gross structure of the major organ systems and identify the principle components of normal physiology and the impact on Service User care.

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

3. Demonstrate an awareness of the function of the major body systems, how they relate to normal physiology, and its application to Service User care.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4. Discuss the moral, professional, legal and bio-ethical issues relating to genetics in health which impact upon Operating Department Practice

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment:

Students will be able to self-test their knowledge and practice MCQs via the eLP receiving immediate feedback on the completion of a quiz. In addition, to correct and incorrect answers the student will be given detailed feedback about why a response is correct. Interactive polling technology will be utilised within seminars to allow formative assessment and students to practice MCQs. Module Learning Outcomes 1-4 will be addressed here.


Summative Assessment:

The module learning outcomes will be assessed using a Multiple-Choice Examination (MCQs). The MCQs will include a mixture of questions including some case study examples in order to test the student’s ability to analyse information (Module Learning Outcomes 1-4. The MCQ will be made up of 40 questions with an exam time of 2 hours.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module will enable you to demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge of biosciences to explain the altered physiological processes or mechanisms leading to the abnormal functioning of organs and the resulting diseases or conditions. The module content will facilitate understanding of the complex and multi-factorial nature of disease and how individuals respond to physiological, psychological and environmental changes. You will learn how to assess patients and anticipate their varying individual needs. You will also learn about the importance of providing safe and effective treatments and care and how to provide advice and explanations to patients and carers about their condition and treatment. Throughout this module, you will be challenged to examine your approach to care provision and develop a questioning approach to becoming an ODP.

Course info

UCAS Code B995

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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