PGCert Clinical Assessment

Year 1

(Award available for year: Postgraduate Certificate)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able:
- to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of techniques relevant to the assessment and diagnosis of conditions in patients;
- to demonstrate a developed understanding of concepts, information and techniques of patient communication for assessment, diagnosis and patient management;
- demonstrate competence to undertake a thorough history and review of systems to inform diagnosis;
- to exhibit competence in the accurate interpretation of clinical assessment data;
- to evaluate and apply appropriate current policy, national guidelines and research in patient assessment, diagnosis and management;
- demonstrate technical mastery of resources in the management of the patient with acute/critical or chronic illness;
- to construct evidence-based patient-centred management plans and communicate effectively with other health professionals;
- to devise and evaluate strategies to promote health, prevent disease and enable rehabilitation;
- to recognise and accept accountability and responsibility associated with undertaking clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning and demonstrate self-awareness of personal and professional limitations.

Transferable (key) skills

Postgraduate Certificate students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice;
- evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- critically to engage in the development of professional/disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement for the Postgraduate Certificate will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating received opinion;
- make sound judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.