AC6753 - Inter-professional Collaboration, Support, and Supervision for Perioperative Practice

What will I learn on this module?

The inter-professional collaboration, support and supervision module has been designed to offer a forum for students to engage with discussion and topical debate related to the perioperative environment. Due to having numerous professional, statutory regulatory bodies (PSRB) within this environment, the interactions are often complex and multi-faceted. This module is designed to define the PSRBs seen within the perioperative environment and identify the common metrics which indicate performance, whilst also identifying some of the more challenging elements of effective interprofessional working.

Some of the theoretical topics which will be discussed within this module are ergonomics, human factors, patient safety, professional socialisation and clinical supervision. Through discussion of these topics, within a perioperative context, there will be an opportunity to engage with debate and identify the principles of education and support within the operating theatre. The pillar which this module aligns to is the education pillar, so the primary focus of this module will be support and supervision, overlaid to the defined PSRBs.

Through discussion of key educational and developmental documentation, for example Northumbria University North-East Practice Assessment Document (NEPAD), Health and Care Professions Council Professional Declaration and Nursing and Midwifery Council Revalidation, you will be able to engage with iterative analysis of your own role in the support and supervision of students and qualified staff. The inclusion of these documents and processes will allow tangible progress to be made in relation to the summative assessment, which will require a critical analysis of the key topic literature.

How will I learn on this module?

The module provides a range of learning and teaching opportunities including face to face and online lectures, workshops, case-based discussion, and e-learning via Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard Ultra is the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) system used within the University and supports learning away from the classroom. It will be available to you throughout the module and your programme of study. Blackboard Ultra provides access to a range of module materials including e-learning packages and materials available for you to consider in advance of, or as part of attending a taught session (flipped classroom). Using Blackboard Ultra will improve your technological skills enabling flexible, enquiry-based learning and opportunity to undertake learning in your own time. This teaching and learning strategy forms part of the University blended learning approach and will allow a degree of flexibility in your educational pursuit.


During this module, you will be undertaking interactive lectures which will provide you with the opportunity to identify contemporary guidelines and research related to collaboration, support and supervision. You will be supported by specialist tutors who will facilitate your engagement with appropriate literature sources, while offering the chance to engage in critical analysis of these sources. Through collaborative working within seminars, you will be offered the chance to critically discuss the support mechanisms of both healthcare students and qualified staff, identifying key documents and policies in this process. You will be given the opportunity to reflect and review your progress throughout the module with the module team, your peers and with the Module Leader (ML).

How will I be supported academically on this module?

A Module Leader (ML) will be available to you for the duration of the module and will have the same professional background as you. You will have “one to one” or group tutorial support for your academic assessment. Your ML will be available to review and explore your progress, having both an academic and student welfare role. Your ML can support your academic learning journey referring you to additional services if needed.

There are comprehensive Skills Plus online learning materials available online within the library that provide you with a range of information about academic study. Peer support is available from your student group and there are opportunities for discussion and sharing learning experiences with your peers in the classroom and using Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard Ultra will support your leaning away from the classroom and it will be available to you throughout the programme. It will contain a number of resources such as eLearning packages and presentations to support your learning and development on the module giving you quick access to module information so you can stay updated. The opportunity to draw on others i.e., peer experiences, presents a positive learning opportunity for students. There are a range of central Student Support and Wellbeing Services “Student Central” operating from Northumbria University Library is on the ground floor at Coach Lane Campus (East). Student Central operating from City Campus (West) is also located in the library on the ground floor. This is available to support you around university academic processes for example, registering a change of circumstances, counselling and mental health support or disability and dyslexia support. The library is open outside of formal scheduled teaching hours and there are student hub areas with access to technology available at Coach Lane and City Campus. Your clinical practice areas may also have active library facilities that you can use.

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. Identify and discuss your key professional regulatory standards for interprofessional working in relation to the perioperative setting
2. Compare and contrast differences and similarities between professional regulatory standards, educational metrics and interprofessional working theories

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Identify the drivers and barriers for collaboration, support and supervision within the perioperative environment
4. Analyse the relationship between clinical practice and theoretical underpinnings of collaboration, support and supervision

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Reflect upon the available professional guidelines, theories and perspectives of collaboration, support and supervision to demonstrate understanding of the perioperative setting

How will I be assessed?

Formative:
1. Written synopsis of summative assessment incident to feed forward into summative assessment
2. Individual formative assignment presentation, involving peer-support and feedback.



Summative: The summative assessment for this module consists of the submission of 3,000-word critical reflection based on collaboration, support and supervision within the perioperative environment. This will be based on an incident or issue you have observed and discussed in the formative assessment phase.

(MLO 1 – 5).

Pre-requisite(s)

“ To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The inter-professional collaboration, support and supervision for perioperative practice module offers you the opportunity to engage with in-depth discussion and debate around education and professional development in the perioperative environment. You will be given some key processes and themes from the related literature and will be given the opportunity to critically analyse their validity, utility, and relevance to your own clinical practice. Within this analysis, you will be guided by research active educators, who will facilitate your academic development related to reaching your potential while acknowledging the drivers and barriers to effective teamwork and ultimately patient care.

Northumbria University has established itself at the forefront of initiatives, working closely with our partners to develop the potential of health professionals. We hope that this module will assist you in your professional development and be a component part of achieving your personal education goals.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Part Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025 or January 2026

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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