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Clinical Examination and Diagnostic Skills for Healthcare Professionals

Overview

The aim of the module is to provide the theoretical underpinning and practice base to enable healthcare professionals to undertake an advanced clinical examination.

You will develop a range of skills and knowledge to support safe and effective autonomous practice when requesting and interpreting clinical investigations. This will include patients presenting with undifferentiated and undiagnosed primary and secondary care conditions across the age and acuity spectrum.

Key facts

Contact: Eva Mussio / Claire Runaghan / Evon Conway

Tel: 024 765 74263

Module Lead: Laura Standing

Duration: 12 tutorial days

Credits: 40

Module code: MD9A6

Fees

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Module objectives

After studying this module you should understand:

  • The key functional anatomy and physiology of the major body systems and related pathophysiological processes.
  • The component parts of the consultation process in order to effectively manage patients with presenting with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems.
  • The practical elements to a top-to-toe physical examination and how to integrate this into the patient consultation
  • The physiological changes associated with specific conditions / illnesses and the application of test results to the management of ill health
  • The appropriate documentation and record keeping practices
  • Professional body support for developing scope of practice (eg relevant accountability issues and ethics)

You should also have knowledge of the following investigations:

  • Arterial Blood Gas Sampling & Interpretation
  • Electrocardiographs
  • Xray interpretation (chest, abdomen, pelvis and appendicular)
  • Interpretation of blood results (haematology, biochemistry, microbiology)

Assessment

OSLER (Objective Structured Long Examination Record)

Portfolio of evidence of own clinical practice

Module Dates 2024/2025

October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025
7, 8, 14, 21, 22, 28 05, 19 03, 10, 17 07, 21 04, 25 04, 18 OSLER: 14 and 15