Program Overview

---

Professional/Short Course Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning of the Presenting Child

Course Overview

The Professional/Short course Physical Assessment and Clinical Reasoning of the Presenting Child is a 20 credit level 6 or level 7 module offered by the School of Health and Social Wellbeing at the University of the West of England. The course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct a safe and comprehensive physical examination and assessment of children and young people.

Course Details

• Course code: UZUSWE203
• Level: Professional/Short Course
• School: School of Health and Social Wellbeing
• Campus: Glenside
• Duration: Three months
• Delivery: Face-to-face
• Course Director: Katherine Hance

About the Course

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and recognition of common illnesses in children and young people, conduct a safe and comprehensive physical examination and assessment, and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the evidence base underpinning physical assessment and clinical reasoning.

Entry Requirements

Students must be a Registered Practitioner in a position of Advanced Practice or aspiring to such a position with clinical responsibility for children or working within children and young people's field of practice.

Careers and Further Study

This module can contribute towards the PGCert Health and Social Care, MSc Clinical Practice, and the Professional Development Awards. The level 6 module can contribute towards the BSc(Hons) Specialist Practice (District Nursing), BSc(Hons) Health and Social Care, MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing), MSc Advanced Practice, and Professional Development Award. The level 7 module can contribute towards the MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing), MSc Advanced Practice, and Professional Development Awards.

Course Structure

Content

The course syllabus includes:

• Skills:
  • Systematic history taking including developmental assessment
  • Use of assessment tools for recognizing normal and abnormal findings in children and young people
  • Introduction to use of frameworks for clinical reasoning
  • Introduction to differential diagnosis and patient risk assessment
  • Introduction to investigations and relevance to practice
• Scientific Knowledge:
  • Foundations of relevant anatomy and pathophysiology
  • Introduction to clinical findings related to head to toe physical assessment with application to related disease processes
  • Respiratory examination in children
  • Cardiovascular examination in children
  • Abdominal examination in children
  • Neurological examination in children
  • Musculoskeletal examination in children (Paediatric Gait Arms Legs Spine pGALS)
  • Examination of the newborn
  • Head, Neck, Skin, Ears, Eyes, Nose and throat examination
  • Rationale for diagnostic investigations and relevance to practice
  • Adolescent consultation skills
• Context of physical assessment and clinical reasoning:
  • Legal/ethical principles in children's and young people's practice
  • Clinical governance and safeguarding in children's practice
  • Evidence-based practice
  • National and local initiatives for changing roles in Children's advanced practice
  • Health Promotion
  • Red Flags and safety netting in Children's practice
  • Communicating and building rapport with child, young person, and their family

Learning and Teaching

A variety of approaches will be used, including:

• E-learning
• Lectures
• Practical sessions
• Seminars
• Master-classes
• Analysis of case studies Formative OSCEs undertaken throughout the module will contribute to the learning strategy for physical assessment.

Study Time

The course consists of 48 contact hours, which will take the form of lectures, group activities, case study presentations, and practical practice sessions.

Assessment

At level 6, the assessment includes an Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) comprising history-taking, advanced clinical examination, and discussion under controlled conditions. At level 7, the assessment includes an OSCE with a critical discussion under controlled conditions, providing the opportunity for students to demonstrate clinical knowledge and critically explore and evaluate their practice and clinical examination techniques in line with current evidence.

Prices and Dates

Please note that priority will be given to applications received through funded educational contracts. Unfortunately, no 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 still be available to support your learning.