2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDS5101M Foundation of Clinical Practice 1 for Physician Associates

30 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Mrs Michelle Ellwood
Email: m.l.ellwood@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least a 2(ii) Honours degree in a health related degree. Alternative qualifications accepted on a case by case basis

Co-requisites

MEDS5100M

Classroom to Clinic 1 for Physician Associates

Module replaces

N/A

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

PAs must demonstrate the attitudes, skills and knowledge to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general medical and/or the general practice team under defined levels of clinical supervision.This module provides the underpinning scientific and evidence base for practice. Students will be taught anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology and evidence based practice relevant to the clinical area.

Objectives

Successful completion of this module will enable students to demonstrate knowledge of the science underpinning patient conditions. Students will also be able to locate and evaluate the evidence underpinning decision-making in health care and develop skills in critically appraising this evidence.

This module provides the learning to underpin student knowledge of the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal and reproductive systems such that student are able to describe normal human development, structure and functions; explain the scientific bases for common disease presentations; explain the fundamental principles underlying common investigative techniques; interpret findings from basic physiological measurements; demonstrate core knowledge of the drugs and other therapies used to treat common conditions affecting these systems

Learning outcomes
The module maps to the following core competencies outlined in the Competence and Curriculum Framework for the Physician Assistant, 2012:
2.3.6 Interpreting evidence/determining the requirement for additional evidence:

- Interpret the findings from the consultation (history, physical examination and mental state examination) in order to determine the need for further investigation and, with the patient/carer, the appropriate direction of patient management
- Understand the indication for initial and follow-up investigations
- Select, interpret and act upon appropriate investigations
- Determine the relevance of screening test for a given condition

2.3.7 Clinical judgement in diagnosis and management:
- Formulate a differential diagnosis based on objective and subjective data
- Make use of clinical judgement to select the most likely diagnosis in relation to all information obtained

2.3.8 Therapeutics and prescribing:
- Working under medical delegation clauses, determine and propose appropriate therapeutic interventions from the full range of available prescription medications used in the clinical setting
- Use the British National Formulary (BNF) and local formularies appropriately and be familiar with the yellow card system for reporting side effects/drug interactions

2.3.11 Risk management
- Recognise potential clinical risk situations and take appropriate action
- Recognise risks to themselves, the team, patients and others and takes appropriate action to eliminate/minimise danger
- Value the importance of clinical governance and participate as directed

2.3.14 Maintenance of good practice
- Critically evaluate own practice to identify learning/developmental needs and identify and utilise learning opportunities
- Use evidence, guidelines and audit (including significant event analysis) to benefit patient care and improve professional practice
- Critically appraise literature and guidelines that inform evidenced-based practice

2.3.15 Ethical and legal issues
- Ensuring patients’ rights are protected
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Obtaining informed consent
- Providing appropriate care for vulnerable adults
- Responding to complaints

2.3.17 Awareness of guiding principles and current developments in the NHS
- Maintain and awareness of national and local guidelines/legal requirements, both generally, and in particular, as relevant to their area of practice
- Maintain and awareness of any new developments in the structure and function of the NHS in relation to their area of practice

2.3.18 Public health
- Recognition of genetic, environmental and social causes of, and influences on the prevention of illness and disease
Specifically, successful completion of the module will enable students to:

Have detailed knowledge of the gross anatomy of the body’s systems

Identify the mechanisms by which disease develops

Link knowledge and understanding of normal and abnormal structure and function

Apply the principles of general pathology to the systems of the body and, where possible, determine the morphological and clinical effects
Recognise the importance of given diseases in relation to underlying principles, incidence in the population and association with the determinants of health

Consider how a diagnosis is formulated and explain principles of therapeutics and prescribing

Apply knowledge and understanding of clinical laboratory science sufficient to underpin the investigation and laboratory evaluation of patients presenting with core conditions

Appreciate future prognosis in terms of the seriousness of the condition

Critically appraise evidence based practice in healthcare

Skills outcomes
Anatomy and Physiology

Scientific knowledge of common disease conditions

Clinical judgement

Ability to critically appraise scientific evidence and apply results to a scenario

Ability to interpret results of investigative procedures and knowledge of appropriate therapeutic interventions

Syllabus

The above principles will be taught over 3 terms and will include technology enhanced and e-learning, and self-directed learning in the following areas on campus and on clinical placement through a body systems and specialty approach:
Cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system,
Ear Nose and Throat
Ophthalmology
Neurology
Female, Male and Sexual Health
Renal and GU
Endocrine
Haematology
Oncology
Musculoskeletal
Care of the Elderly
Mental Health
Paediatrics
Infectious Disease
Dermatology

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	10	2.00	20.00
Group learning	30	3.00	90.00
Lecture	20	2.00	40.00
Practical	20	2.00	40.00
Seminar	24	2.00	48.00
Tutorial	7	1.00	7.00
Private study hours			55.00
Total Contact hours			245.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

The placement provision and hours are dictated by the requirements of the Competence and Curriculum Framework for Physician Associates (1600 hours over 2 years).
Opportunity for self-directed study and independent learning is facilitated through use of mobile technology, Technology enhanced learning (lecture capture) access to the Virtual Learning Environment and the Virtual Community.
- Self-Directed Learning in preparation for case based discussions
- Wider reading/ writing up notes
- Academic supervision
- Research material for the summative essay component of the module

Exam/assessment preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive formative peer and facilitator feedback on the presentations they deliver to the rest of their small group in Case Based Discussion sessions. They are able to monitor their own progress with practice MCQs on ClinicalKey, and a formative MCQ exam is set prior to the summative end of year exam.

An educational supervisor will provide verbal feedback on their progress each term. Once a term students will also meet their campus based personal Tutor drawn from the core team supporting the programme.

Tutorials will aid student understanding of the requirements of the module and the module assessment.

Academic supervision will support student development of their essay with opportunities to discuss and receive written feedback on a draft.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2500 word critical evaluation of the role of quality improvement in healthcare and how this relates to the role of a physician associate	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

There is no compensation between the assessment components of this module.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Year 2 commences in early September. An earlier resit for assessment component is available. There is no compensation between the assessment components of this module.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:18:11

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD