Professional/Short course Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning for Practice
Page last updated 30 September 2024
20 credit level 6 or level 7 module
Due to the places required from our partnership organisations outweighing the actual places available on this module, it will not be opened up to general applications until six weeks before the start date. Please contact your employer to see if you are eligible to apply, they will supply you with the relevant links to undertake this process.
Introduction
You may be able to study these modules at Level 6 (BSc level) or Level 7 (Masters level) depending on your academic circumstances. Please contact the CPD Team or the Module Leader for advice if you are unsure which level would be best for you.
This Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (PACR) module is a 20 credit module which provides opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of history taking, physical assessment and clinical reasoning in adults.
The PACR module is available to study at either academic level 6 (UZWK9B-20-3) or level 7 (UZWK9C-20-M). It is structured to enhance your practice by utilising a systematic approach to the clinical encounter. The PACR module teaches history taking and physical assessment of the main bodily systems and includes identification of normal and abnormal variants to support clinical reasoning.
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- conduct a safe, relevant and comprehensive physical examination and assessment within the practitioner's professional field.
- analyse and interpret findings of a comprehensive physical assessment, underpinned by the appropriate evidence base.
- exercise clinical judgement and reasoning to provide differential diagnoses and formulate an action plan based on the findings of the assessment.
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the evidence base underpinning physical assessment and clinical reasoning.
Entry requirements
You must be a registered practitioner with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or General Pharmaceutical Health Council, or Health and Care Professions Council.
You must also be working with patients or service users, in an identified clinical work environment.
Careers / Further study
The level 6 (undergraduate level) module can contribute towards:
- BSc(Hons) Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
- BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care
- MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
- MSc Advanced Practice
- Professional Development Award
The level 7 (Masters level) module can contribute towards:
- MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
- MSc Advanced Practice
- Professional Development Awards
Structure
Content
The PACR module incorporates eight study days with the below elements:
- Day 1: Introduction to the module, history taking, general survey, clinical reasoning
- Day 2: Head, ears, eyes, nose, throat (HEENT) and respiratory systems
- Day 3: Cardiovascular and abdominal systems
- Day 4: Pause and perfect practical consolidation of skills
- Day 5: Neurological central and peripheral nervous system
- Day 6: Musculoskeletal upper and lower limb
- Day 7: Pause and perfect practical consolidation of skills plus formative assessment
- Day 8: Summative assessment
The module will incorporate:
- Systematic history taking and consultation skills
- Use of physical assessment techniques
- Review of systems
- General survey
- Interpersonal skills
- Clinical examination skills using a systems based approach
- Evidence-based practice
- Application of knowledge to support clinical reasoning and management plans
Learning and Teaching
A variety of approaches will be used which may include seminars, practical sessions, experts from practice, case studies and self-directed study
Supervised physical assessment practical sessions will be incorporated.
Study time
This is a 20 credit module, therefore an expectation of 200 hours of study.
- Scheduled learning, teaching and assessment study hours: 48 hours.
- Independent study: 152 hours.
Assessment
The assessment for the PACR module is a Structured Observed Practical Examination (SOPE). During this assessment, you can be assessed on any of the clinical systems covered on the module.
Level 6 students will be allocated 30 minutes to cover: history taking, clinical examination of one system, diagnosis and management plan, handover using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation). There will be clinical questions on the system examined. This will allow you to demonstrate autonomy in these processes.
Level 7 students will be allocated 45 minutes to cover: history taking, clinical examination of two systems, diagnosis and management, handover using SBAR. There will be clinical questions for each of the systems examined. This will allow you to demonstrate autonomy in these processes.
Formative assessment: Feedback will be provided by formative SOPE on Day 7 PACR teaching. There will also be opportunities for formative feedback throughout the module.
Features
Study facilities
The College of Health, Science and Society has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and the facilities it provides.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Health Professions facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Prices and dates
Supplementary fee information
Please visit our full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.
Dates
Please click on the Apply Now button to view dates.
How to apply
Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.
Please note priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts. Limited places will be available on this module for applications received outside of this funding. Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may be available to support your learning.
Extra information
If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.
For further information
- Email: pd@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 81158