PM3MPAS1-Clinical Skills 1

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 100 [50 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PM2MPAS1 Professional Skills for Healthcare B
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: PM3MPAS2 Research methods
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Mini placement
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Becky Green
Email: rebecca.green@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This is module provides 4-year MPAs students with core clinical knowledge to prepare them for clinical placements that begin in Spring term of Part 3 and become the major component of the programme in Part 4. Students will be supported to exercise personal responsibility, undertake decision-making in simple situations and develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with a systematic understanding of the basic medical sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, histology, genetics, microbiology, pathology, physiology) developing knowledge gained during early years of the programme, whilst focusing on the principles of patient consultation. The module will also further develop students understanding of the NHS and the role of different clinical teams, and the relevant legal and ethical principles.

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the guiding principles and current developments in the NHS, including legal and ethical principles.


2. Obtain and critically interpret evidence from a patient consultation (history, physical examination and mental state examination), determining the requirement for additional information or further investigation in order to determine appropriate patient management.


3. Demonstrate an understanding of the princi ples of pharmacologic action, the therapeutic indications, side effects and contraindications for medicines used in clinical medicine.


4. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical knowledge and subject areas covered in the PA core syllabus and critically apply it to relevant case scenarios.


5. Exhibit professional behaviour & probity

Additional outcomes:

The module will be based around the PA Competence and Curriculum Framework (https://www.fparcp.co.uk/pa-students)

Outline content:

The 3rd year teaching programme is designed to ensure students are fully prepared for the intensive clinical practice training provided in Part 4.

Lectures and practical classes will build on core science knowledge of Parts 1-2 in anatomy, biochemistry, histology, genetics, microbiology, pathology, and physiology), putting these into context with diagnosis and treatment of disease and patient-centred care.

Students will be introduced to the hospital set ting where they will do their clinical training. Placements will begin during the latter half of the year for 2 days/week. Because of the intensive nature of the clinical training provided, Part 3 and Part 4 of the MPAS are 45-week programmes and do not adhere to normal undergraduate term dates.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Part 3 of the PA programme recognises that students are undertaking a professional programme where they are developing independent learning and reflective learning skills. Methods to encourage an appropriate level of learning will include flipped classroom, scenario-based discussions, and problem based learning. Students will undertake work-based learning within General Practice and general medicine to familiarise themselves with fundamental clinical practice and assessment. Learning will beg in to be contextualised according to the placements that the students are undertaking. Annex 1 indicates the core clinical skills to be covered in PM3MPAS1 (and to be continued during PM3MPAS2.

The term in which the contact takes place will vary depending on placements and as a 45-week full time programme does not fit into the university term structure. For simplicity all hours are currently divided evenly across the three terms for the table below.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	40	40	40
Tutorials	40	40	40
Practicals classes and workshops	40	40	40
Supervised time in studio/workshop	20	20	20
Work-based learning	30	30	30
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20	20	20
Wider reading (directed)	30	30	30
Exam revision/preparation	20	20	20
Preparation for tutorials	40	40	35
Preparation for seminars	20	20	15
Reflection	40	40	30
Total hours by term	340	340	320
Total hours for module	1000

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Practical skills assessment	40
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Students will be required to sit a 150-question multiple choice paper and a ten station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

An in-class written and practical 2-hour examination in February. The timing of this assessment is to ensure students are fully prepared for clinical placements.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be required to maintain a portfolio of learning which includes a log of reflective learning. Students will also have in-module assessment of knowledge and its application to clinical scenarios.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Students must obtain a mark of at least 50% in all three summative assessment components and must demonstrate competency in the OSCE assessment by passing at least 7 out of 10 OSCE stations. Students are also required to submit a portfolio that is a compulsory pass/fail element of this module.

The portfolio assessment will not contribute to the overall module mark for grading purposes but submission of a portfolio that meets the pass criteria is a requirement to pass the module.

The pass mark of examinations are based on current pass requirements for the National Examination.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment of the departmentally/centrally administered written assessments will be by written examination.

Reassessment of the OSCE examination will be a second OSCE examination.

Students are normally permitted one further attempt at any failed assessments.  If a student is deemed to be a potential risk to clients in a practical examination, re-assessment of the practical OSCE may not be allowed. Students who fail written and practical examinations at their second attempt are not permitted a further attempt and are required to leave the University.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books: A wide variety of text books is available from the University library.  Students are advised to purchase own copy of some texts for this module

Specialist equipment or materials: Professional standard stethoscope

Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Students will need to travel to placements in different healthcare settings.

Last updated: 29 March 2022