A CLINICAL ASSESSMENT weighted at 0% (assessing LO's 1 and 3)
Clinical Practice Assessment Document will demonstrate competence in relevant areas and will require signature against all clinical competences by a clinical practice preceptor

A 3000 word reflective assignment weighted at 100% (assessing LO's 2 and 4)
The reflective assignment will be based around the students' development in one plastering / splinting treatment technique, including related physiology and pathophysiology, evidence supporting the use of the particular treatment, its advantages and disadvantages, potential side effects, and including relevant professional issues

Formative feedback: Skills clinical practice, practice feedback and scenario discussions with preceptor. Students will be encouraged to access discussion boards on Blackboard to take the opportunity to share practice with peers.

Both elements of assessment MUST be passed

Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):
The student will have the opportunity to test knowledge through on-line resources and formative assessment in practice.

This blended learning module enables health care professionals to gain and expand knowledge and skills in the performance of the application and subsequent removal of various types of casts and splints used in orthopaedic practice. It focuses upon the principles and practice of the interpretation of prescriptions, application of appropriate treatments, re-application and remove these at a future date when appropriate. Content enables students to undertake comprehensive and focused patient assessment and to facilitate the application of casts and splints in relation to their particular clinical speciality, but also in a wider view of the application in other clinical contexts.

The Application and removal of orthopaedic casts is considered within the context of: best evidence and practice, the issue of significant negatives, consent, accountability and legal aspects, appropriate documentation.

Blackboard content will also include aspects of anatomy and physiology,
A particular feature of this module is the opportunity to advance skills under the guidance of a clinical preceptor.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (6 hours)
3 hours: Lecture
3 hours group tutorial

Guided Independent Study: (144 hours)
90 hours: Clinical learning including supervised clinical practice, and completion of clinical assessment document
54 hours: Preparation for assignment, independent reading and literature searching, blackboard activities

Supervised clinical practice with an identified clinical preceptor will promote an individualised learning pathway, underpin the development of plastering clinical skills, and provide guidance towards achievement of practice outcomes. It is anticipated that the majority of clinical learning will take place within the students' resident place of work. However the student may negotiate the opportunity to work in an alternative environment of care to support the achievement of associated care activities.

The main focus of the skills clinical-based learning will be the theory and student practice of cast and splint application and removal. The module requires active participation from students to relate and utilise elements of core skills and associated pathophysiology relevant to the students' clinical speciality.

e-library
Blackboard
Access to a computer that meets the Faculties minimal PC/Mac requirement.
Internet access
Clinical Preceptor

Coppard, B.M., Lohman, H.,(2007), Introduction to Splinting: A Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving Approach, London, Mosby
McRae, R. (2006) Orthopaedics and Fractures. London, Churchill Livingston
Thompson, S.R.,Zlotolow, D.A.,(2012), Handbook of Splinting and casting: Mobile Medicine Series, 1e, London, Mosby

Students must be clinically based (or have access to a clinical base for the preceptor contact hours) and have the written support of a clinical preceptor for skills development and assessment of practice.

Previous successful academic achievement at level 5 is desirable before undertaking higher level study, and if not achieved, then the student will have opportunity to discuss the module with the module tutor before application.