This module will enable healthcare practitioners such as nurses, paramedics and physiotherapists to develop their knowledge and skills in clinical reasoning and physical examination techniques. Healthcare practitioners are provided with the opportunity to equip themselves to deliver a high standard of care in health assessment techniques, critically explore differential diagnosis and develop management plans that are evidence based and in partnership with their client group.

The emphasis of the module is on integrating subjective and objective data into the clinical reasoning process and on synthesis of evidential practice in the context of undifferentiated urgent care.

The educational delivery and ethos of this module emphasises and builds on autonomous self-directed learning for independent practice.

The course is also offered as a postgraduate (level 7) award.

Students should be working in a clinical area where they are able to access a minimum of 50 hours of supervision by an appropriately experienced healthcare practitioner.

Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), clinical logs and critical reflection

1. Demonstrate the skills undertaken through comprehensive history taking and physical examination and takes the initiative and responsibility in decision making and problem solving in clinical and ethical dimensions of practice.
2. Integrate deep and systematic knowledge of human life sciences in altered physiology and pathology across the lifespan
3. Demonstrate fundamental ways of knowing that embraces physical, psychological personal, social, economical and ethical factors that impacts on individuals, families and communities.
4. Critically discuss the legal and professional issues of autonomous practice as they apply to physical assessment
5. Critically examine the use of diagnostic  tests that aid diagnosis in the clinical decision making process
6. Demonstrate effective communication skills in a range of situations that empower patients and families to make decisions and positive changes
7. Critically reflect on self /actions and shows an openness to change

Course length: 10 Teaching Days