Minor Illness: Assessment and Management
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-24 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
This course prepares healthcare professionals to assess and manage patients with minor illnesses, incorporating a symptom-based, patient safety-focused approach.
Full Description
The course teaches the "4 Rules of Consulting in Minor Illness" to practice protective medicine and prioritize patient safety. Students learn to examine patients with minor illnesses systematically and holistically, adopting a pragmatic and evidence-based approach.
Content
- Clinical assessment skills in minor illness
- The limitations of clinical assessment in early disease and the importance of safety-netting
- The assessment and management of patients with upper and lower respiratory tract infections, cystitis, conjunctivitis, thrush, headaches, gastroenteritis, minor skin conditions, back pain, meningitis, fever of unknown origin
- Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making in minor illness
- Safety-netting and referral in minor illness
- The use of antibiotics and analgesics in minor illness
How You'll Learn
The course consists of six online teaching sessions with protected time for structured self-study, and one voluntary face-to-face skills session. Sessions are alternate weeks over 12 weeks, with expected clinical experience with patients with minor illnesses in the workplace or self-arranged placement with a clinical mentor.
Assessment
- A practice document completed with a mentor, demonstrating competencies in assessment on five patients each
- A logbook of skills performed and conditions encountered
- An essay with a PowerPoint presentation and notes, evidencing a real-life consultation from beginning to end, demonstrating safety and awareness of the consultation process in minor illness
Who Should Attend?
This course benefits healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and management of patients with minor illnesses, including doctors, nurses, and community pharmacists.
Dates
September 2025
Chelmsford
- 24 September 2025 online
- 8 October 2025 online
- 22 October 2025 online
- 4 November 2025 online
- 19 November 2025 online
- 26 November 2025 online
- 3 December 2025 voluntary face-to-face skills session
Cambridge
- 24 September 2025 online
- 8 October 2025 online
- 22 October 2025 online
- 4 November 2025 online
- 19 November 2025 online
- 26 November 2025 online
- 10 December 2025 voluntary face-to-face skills session
Where You'll Study
Your Faculty
The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care at ARU is dedicated to meeting the demand for healthcare professionals, doctors, scientists, and social workers in the East of England.
Where Can I Study?
- Chelmsford: Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
- Blended learning: Study through a mix of face-to-face teaching and online sessions.
- Cambridge: Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & Funding
Course Fees
- 30 credits (Level 7) for courses starting in 2024/25: £1,767
- 30 Credits (Level 7) for courses starting in 2025/26: £1,850
Funding for CPD
Please ask your manager or Education Lead about available funding before applying.
Entry Requirements
This course benefits healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and management of patients with minor illnesses, including doctors, nurses, and community pharmacists.
Suggested Courses That May Interest You
- Advanced Management of Minor Injuries
Register Your Interest
Use this link if your preferred date or campus is not currently available.
Program Outline
Outline:
- Content: Assessment and management of patients with minor illnesses, focusing on a symptom-based, patient safety-focused approach.
- Structure: Blended learning, with both face-to-face and online sessions.
- Course Schedule: Trimester 2 and Trimester 3.
- Modules:
- Clinical assessment skills in minor illness
- Limitations of clinical assessment and the importance of safety-netting
- Assessment of adults, children, and older patients
- Assessment and management of patients with upper and lower respiratory tract infections, cystitis, conjunctivitis, thrush, headaches, gastroenteritis, minor skin conditions, back pain, meningitis, fever of unknown origin
- Diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making in minor illness
- Safety-netting and referral in minor illness
- Use of antibiotics and analgesics in minor illness
Assessment:
- Reflective practice forms for each session
- Logbook of performed skills and encountered conditions
- Two 15-minute Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) involving simulated consultations with patients who have minor illnesses
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods:
- Face-to-face and online sessions
- Clinical experience with patients with minor illnesses either within the workplace or on self-arranged placements with a clinical mentor
Overview:
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a global university with students from 185 countries. It is known for its innovative and entrepreneurial approach to education and research. ARU has been recognized as the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 and has received a Gold award for the quality of its education in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
The context mentions that ARU is committed to creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for students, staff, and communities. It also highlights the university's focus on providing outstanding facilities and opportunities for student growth.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Ambition:
ARU is academically ambitious for its students and strives to provide high-quality education.Excellence:
ARU is ranked in the top 15% of universities in the UK for graduate employment and has been recognized for its excellence in education, social work, and sports science.Collaboration:
ARU fosters collaboration between students, businesses, and partners, and its courses are recognized by industry and professionally accredited.Impact:
ARU conducts impactful research that addresses pressing issues and makes a difference in the community.Enterprise:
ARU encourages entrepreneurship and provides mentorship, support, and start-up funding through the Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy.Enthusiasm:
ARU's can-do attitude and infectious enthusiasm set it apart from other universities.Academic Programs:
The context mentions that ARU offers a wide range of courses, including undergraduate, postgraduate, postgraduate research, college courses, apprenticeships, short courses, and distance learning programs. It also highlights the university's commitment to providing career-ready graduates.
Other:
The context mentions that ARU has campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and Writtle. It also highlights the university's commitment to sustainability, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
