AC7077 - History Taking and Clinical Skills in Primary Care

On this module, we will be using several learning and teaching strategies that are suitable for a variety of learners, supporting inter-professional learning and working within primary care. Methods of teaching will include interactive lectures, seminars, and practical examination workshops. This module will be delivered at Northumbria University by lecturers with specialist experience of the skills and working in primary care settings. You are expected to actively participate in your learning by formalising your goals with a named supervisor from your practice area, undertaking directed study. You are expected to participate in class discussion, group work, share your own expertise, participate in practical sessions, develop debate and make recommendations about important practice issues. The various taught sessions will prepare you for the dual summative assessment that consists of a 3000 word assignment and a multiple station objective structured clinical examination.

You will be supported by the module lead and lecturers who have specialist experience within examination and history taking to support their lectures. You will meet the lecturers at the scheduled study days and individual tutorials are available to you in preparation for your academic assignment with the module lead. Contact with the module lead is available in person, via telephone, email and the electronic learning portal. Support for your learning is also offered via a 24 hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online. The university library has a wide selection of materials to support your individual learning, and these materials are available in hard copy or electronic format. The module lead will identify appropriate online video materials that you can utilise for learning and revision.

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.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Undertake an assessment of the patient’s physical and psychological needs, and critically analyse the significance of the assessment and presenting health issues in the body systems;

2. Synthesise the evidence for the factors which contribute to illness and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the associated pathophysiology that supports accurate history taking and examination skills
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Critically discuss the importance of collaborative working and leadership abilities when managing care of ill patients presenting in primary care.

4. Critically appraise and defend the rationales for clinical decisions, proposed management, and demonstrate the ability to analyse and apply results in the care/treatment required by utilising contemporary sources of evidence

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Systematically identify and critically discuss /communicate consultation findings in line with legal, professional and ethical principles of your role.

Formative assessment will take the form of in-class seminar discussion and practical sessions to assess your level of knowledge and understanding gained from course materials.(module learning outcomes 1-5)

Summative assessment will be via a reflective academic assignment of 3000 words and the achievement of clinical examination skills via an objective structured clinical examination (module learning outcomes 1-5). Summative feedback is released via Blackboard Ultra within university timeframes.

Previous study at L6 or equivalent
To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)

None

This module aims to develop you to undertake clinical histories and examinations within contemporary primary care settings. You will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to assess, and respond appropriately to health need, whilst working independently within legal, ethical and professional guidelines. This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and competence to recognise opportunities to provide interventions therefore preventing or identifying disease and preventing hospital admissions. The module is designed for health professionals working in primary care roles and will provide you with an increased ability to assess and manage patients across all of the age ranges of patients (except very young children) that present in primary care. You are expected to apply analytical assessment skills in order to provide differential diagnoses, and communicate accurate and concise management plans for presenting symptoms. Academic assessment is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and an academic essay (3000 words). The essay is a critical account of the application of appropriate consultation models, enabling demonstration of a broad range of knowledge, required when assessing patients for a range of health care conditions in primary care. You are required to pass both assessment components.