This module enables health care professionals to gain and expand knowledge and skills in the performance of advanced health assessment and clinical diagnostics across the lifespan. It focuses upon the practice of advanced health assessment and history taking, to form a diagnosis. Content enables students to undertake a comprehensive and focused advanced health examination and to facilitate the individual to relate the following core content to the role of the Advanced Practitioner, as defined by the Department of Health (2010) Skills for Health (2007) Nursing and Midwifery Council (2005, 2006, 2015), Royal College of Nursing (2010, 2012) and HCPC (2005, 2008, 2013).

Health assessment using a systems approach: cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal, abdominal, head and neck will be explored, along with associated anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and health history. Clinical diagnostics skill development in, haematology, biochemistry, endocrinology, bacteriology, virology x-ray interpretation, ECG interpretation are also part of the module content.

Advanced Health Assessment is considered within the context of: best evidence and practice, the issue of significant negatives, consent, accountability and legal aspects, appropriate documentation.
A particular feature of this module is the opportunity to advance health assessment and leadership skills under the guidance of a clinical preceptor(s) in clinical practice.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (84 hours)
36 hours Lectures
36 hours Skills practice (Skills lab, Simulation, case interpretation of data)
4 hours Assignment tutorial ,OSCE Practice/ Mock OSCE
8 hours Blackboard – blended learning activities, narrated pathophysiology, skills demonstrations

Guided Independent Study Hours: (366 hours) – will be organised independently by the student research, reading, assignment preparation This independent study will involve activities related to pathophysiology and biomedical knowledge underpinning physical assessment.

90 hours guided hours of practice with a preceptor in clinical practice, Skills acquisition, demonstration of skills acquired and assessment in clinical practice, completion of competency document.

Skill Lab, Blackboard VLE, Video demonstration materials, PowerPoint conversion software for FLASH presentations.
X ray viewer, Overhead projectors

Bickley, L.S.,(2012), Bate’s Guide to Physical Assessment, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins

Blann, A.,(2013), Routine Blood Results Explained, M&K Update Ltd

Higgins, C.,(2012), Understanding Laboratory investigations, A guide for Nurses, Midwives and Health Professionals, Wiley-Blackwell

Three years post registration experience, registered with an appropriate professional body. Students must be clinically based (with appropriate liability insurance provision – employment, or honorary contract,) have the written support of their manager who will support the student to achieve protected time for clinical and classroom-based learning and provide written confirmation of an identified clinical preceptor, who must be a senior clinician experienced in the field in which the assessment is to take place (for example a Consultant/ Specialist Registrar or GP or an Advanced Practitioner).

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of theoretical knowledge related to advanced physical health assessment, in order to undertake a clinical examination (Application, Knowledge and Understanding)

2. Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between “normal” and “ abnormal” findings, to take personal responsibility for initiating appropriate interventions (Application, Problem Solving, Reflection)

3. Demonstrate the ability to interpret clinical investigations and report finding, in order to confirm diagnosis and make appropriate referrals (Application, Communication, Problem Solving)

4. Demonstrate reflexivity in the identification in personal leadership skills and applying the critical evaluation of evidence and advanced scholarship in the planning of ongoing care (Analysis, Reflection)

5. Demonstrate resiliance within challenging situations in order to employ the attributes of an advanced practitioner (Communication, Reflection)

A critical analysis of a clinical assessment and diagnostic interpretation that has been undertaken in clinical practice which examines in detail appropriate aspects of the physical examination (history taking, auscultation, percussion, inspection, or palpation as appropriate) and each appropriate diagnostic test utilised. (3000 words) (addressing LO's 1, 2, 4 and 5) weighted at 100%

A Observed Structured Clinical Examination 1 hour duration (addressing LO's 2, 3 and 5) PASS/FAIL weighted 0%

Completion of a clinical competency document (addressing LO's 2, 3 and 5) PASS/ FAIL weighted 0%

All elements of assessment must be passed.

Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):
Formative feedback: skills laboratory practice, practice feedback, tutorials, scenario discussions, role play
Mock OSCE practice and formative feedback
Group tutorial on assignment with formative feedback on assignment plan
Formative feedback from clinical preceptor in a clinical practice setting.

The purpose of this module is to enable you to gain and expand your knowledge and skills in performing advanced health assessment as a health care professional. It will form the foundation for your on-going learning in advanced health assessment. A particular feature of this module is the opportunity to advance your physical assessment and diagnostic skills under the guidance of a clinical preceptor. You will study cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, musculoskeletal assessment and examination. Also haematology, biochemistry and E.C.G interpretation