Health Assessment in Clinical Practice

Mode of study: Part time
Credits: 30
Course code: NUR-40014
Contact details: Contact Course Administration Office

Contact email: nursing.cpd@keele.ac.uk
Starting months: March (application deadline 10 Jan 2025), September 2025

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Course overview

This module is useful for those experienced practitioners who wish to commence on the journey towards advanced practice. This module aims to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the physical health assessment of patients specific to the student's specialist area of clinical practice.

Applications for September 2024 entry are now closed. Applications for March 2025 entry are now open. Application deadline is 10 January 2025.

This course operates on a first come first serve basis. The University reserves the right to close this programme early if sufficient applications are received.

Overview

The module has been devised utilising current best practice and clinical guidelines to underpin the student's ability to make informed clinical decisions. The use of a blended learning approach will be adopted which incorporates lead lectures, skills teaching, workshops, on-line learning and the clinical practice setting. Linking the student with an appropriate mentor will assist in the acquisition of clinical examination skills pertinent to the individual needs of the student.

The module content, delivery and assessment will enhance the confidence of healthcare professionals to interpret objective and subjective clinical data, use appropriate diagnostics and initiate a clinical management plan. At the end of the module the student will have advanced their practice in performing a problem-focused, age appropriate health assessment.

Module aims

Through multi-professional teaching and facilitation, this module aims to critically enhance/advance a range of assessment skills essential to the effective fulfilment of their clinical role, relevant to specific practice discipline.

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally:

hold current registration as a health care professional with an appropriate body

have two years post-registration experience

have previous academic study at a minimum of level 5/6.

Applicants must work in a relevant clinical environment with access to support and supervision from an appropriate clinical mentor.

Module content

Physical Health Assessment within a nursing paradigm

Physical Health Assessment utilising a medical systems approach

Respiratory and cardiovascular physiology applied to health assessment

Professional and legal issues surrounding advancing practice

Pharmacology, radiography and microbiology relating to essential investigations

Political incentives surrounding advancing practice

National Service Frameworks in practice.

*Additional sessions as identified through negotiation dictated by clinical practice speciality.

Teaching and assessment

The principal learning and teaching methods used in the module may include:

Lectures, seminars and workshops: The core of each module delivery mode is a series of face to face tutor-led or group-led seminars or workshops.

Web-based learning using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE), Blackboard.

Group work and peer support. All modules use focused group work and class discussions within face to face tutor time.

Directed independent study. Most of the study hours for each module comprise independent learning by expecting participants to add depth and breadth to their knowledge of topics, to practice skills and to reflect on critical incidents and their practice.