PM4PPA-MPAS Clinical Module 2

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: PM3PPA MPAS Clinical Module 1
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Simone Magee
Email: s.magee@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The clinical module in the Physician Associate programme builds on the core knowledge obtained in the pre-clinical module (PM3PPA) by integrating academic learning with practical application.



Students will be supported to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, undertake decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations and continue to develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Aims:

This module aims to integrate academic learning with practical application. Students will undertake extensive clinical placements in general practice and secondary care, integrated with ongoing learning at the university. Students will be able to:



•deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences

•continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level through continuing professional development

Assessable learning outcomes:

1.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.

2.Use clinical judgment in the diagnosis, management and appropriate referral for the list of patient presentations outlined in the Physician Associate Competence and Curriculum Framework, and relevant to their area of clinical placement.

3.Demonstrate common core skills and knowledge when working with children, young people and families.

4.Evaluate and apply the principles of pharmacologic actions, therapeutic indications, contraindications and adverse reactions for pharmaceutical preparations relevant to their area of clinical placement.

5.Exhibit professional behaviour & probity

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The module will be based around the PA competency and curriculum framework (https://www.fparcp.co.uk/examinations ) 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The PA programme will recognise that students are undertaking postgraduate study as adult learners. Methods to encourage an appropriate level of learning will include scenario-based discussions, case-based learning, critical appraisal and reflection. In this module, learning will be contextualised according to the placements that the students are undertaking. Further learning will also be related in a temporal manner to the placement. The Programme Handbook indicates the core clinical sk ills to be covered. Students will undertake extensive and highly interactive workplace-based learning within General Practice and Secondary Care as they develop their clinical practice.

The term in which the contact takes place will vary according to the start of the programme and the spread of the modules across terms, since it is a full time programme, so for simplicity hours are currently allocated evenly over all three terms.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Tutorials	70	60	70
Work-based learning	340	340	320
Guided independent study:	0	0	0
Total hours by term	410	400	390
Total hours for module	1200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Practical skills assessment	50

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:

Students will be required to submit their Portfolio of Learning to ensure they have met all requirements associated with placements, and submitted and passed their other portfolio assessments over the year.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be required to maintain an online portfolio of learning which includes a log of patient encounters and written case reports. Students will be required to include reflective accounts of critical learning encounters. The portfolio will also contain evidence provided by other healthcare practitioners from each placement regarding the performance of students. The portfolio will also contain a checklist to ensure the key clinical skills listed in the Programme Handbook are demonstrated during the programme. Students will also have viva assessments to assess verbal presentation and case handover skills, and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) to assess the application of knowledge 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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 both the MCQ and OSCE components of summative assessment and must also 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 written and practical examinations are based on the current pass requirements of the FPA National Examination.

Reassessment arrangements:

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 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):

1) Required textbooks: A wide variety of textbooks is available from the library. Students are advised to purchase own copies of some core texts at varying costs.

2) Specialist equipment or materials: Professional standard stethoscope

3) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Students may need to travel to placements in the community and this could incur additional travel costs if they visit venues geographically further away.

Last updated: 22 September 2022