Overview
This is a core unit for the Advanced Clinical Practice programme. It is also available as a standalone CPD unit for experienced healthcare practitioners working at an appropriate level of practice across a range of clinical practice settings where advanced clinical assessment skills are required.
The unit includes advancement of human life sciences knowledge and understanding, particularly anatomy and physiology, to identify causes, signs and symptoms and impact of physical and mental health conditions to underpin assessment and diagnosis of individuals. It focuses on holistic assessment using personalised approaches to care and therapeutic communication for consulting with individuals and their carers/families.
You will develop competence in a range of assessment methods, including comprehensive history taking, physical examination and mental health, building on your existing clinical acumen. This will enable you to distinguish between normal and abnormal findings, to identify red flags and potential risk factors and consider some preliminary diagnostic and interpretative decisions. This is supported through seeking out and applying contemporary, high-quality evidence-based resources, including recognised assessment tools and frameworks.
This is the first of a pair of units and successful completion of this unit is a pre-requisite for the second unit ‘Clinical reasoning, Diagnostic Decision-making and Managing Complexity for Advanced Practice’ that is closely aligned to and builds on this first unit. You will have some flexibility in relation to the focus of the unit, mapping to your own specific learning needs, which may be dependent on your professional skillset and scope of practice.
Throughout the unit there will be opportunities for you to explore personal and professional development needs in transitioning towards an advancing level of clinical practice, through critical reflection, enhanced self-awareness and peer discussion.
On completion of the unit, you will be able to demonstrate safe consultation and clinical assessment skills commensurate with an advancing level of practice, through observed and supervised clinical practice, in a simulated environment, as well as your own clinical setting.
Competence assessment will be demonstrated through both formative and summative assessment of your knowledge, skills and behaviours to an advancing level of practice, developed through this unit. Preparation sessions will be available for modified Objective Structured Clinical Examination [mOSCE].
Course Details
This is a core unit for the Advanced Clinical Practice programme. It is also available as a standalone CPD unit for experienced healthcare practitioners working at an appropriate level of practice across a range of clinical practice settings where advanced clinical assessment skills are required.
On the unit you will learn the application of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology related to patient consultation and clinical assessment.
You will explore consultation theories and models, therapeutic relationship building and advanced communication skills, personalised care approaches, patient empowerment, holistic care.
Supported by simulation, you will develop skills in assessment methods, comprehensive, systematic history taking, physical examination across body systems, relevant to your scope of practice which may include cardiac, respiratory, ear, nose and throat, abdomen, genito-urinary, lymphatics and glands, neurology, musculoskeletal; mental health assessment, frailty, identifying risk factors, red flags, identifying normal from abnormal clinical findings.
Aligned to you own Practice and Professional Development you will develop critical appraisal skills for evidence-based practice; problem-solving, critical thinking and reflective practice, analysis and evaluation; self awareness as independent practitioner, promotion of safe clinical practice within scope of practice.
Included in the unit will be content on legal, ethical and professional accountability in relation to advancing clinical practice skills.
Standalone unit 20 credits Level 7.
As a unique Health Sciences University, HSO has developed a portfolio of enhanced and advanced practice provision over the past few years, led by Associate Professor, Dr Hilary Walsgrove. Hilary and team deliver this unit as part of our ACP course provision and allow a small number of places to be taken on a standalone unit basis.
Unit Breakdown
How this course is taught 
The teaching and learning strategies for this unit provide a blended learning approach that encourages you to develop as an independent learner and to contextualise your knowledge and skills within the clinical setting. A mix of traditional synchronous (in real time) and asynchronous (with a time delay) methods will be employed.
Synchronous content may vary, but may consist of live lectures, practical classes and demonstrations, role-play activities, peer group skill development practical sessions.
Asynchronous contents may include the delivery of cognitive knowledge base through online lectures, online quizzes, other online activities to help you analyse and evaluate information.
This will be further supported in your workplace through guidance, supervision and informal assessment of your new and enhanced skillset development. Significant learning for this unit is through application of knowledge and skills into the clinical practice setting, utilising a workplace-based learning approach.
Workplace supervisors and other professional colleagues can provide a safe learning environment within which you can build your knowledge and patient assessment skills, expected from undertaking this unit within the context of your individual practitioner role. The summative assessment of this unit will involve a presentation and viva directly related to clinical practice.
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do I need?
This unit is suitable for registered healthcare professionals who are working clinically in an environment where they can be supported to develop advanced practice skills in patient consultation, history taking and clinical assessment.
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Why choose Health Sciences University
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
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