PMM1PPA-Physician Associate Clinical Module 1

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 90 [45 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
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 pre-clinical module in the Physician Associate (PA) programme is to provide the core knowledge necessary for students to undertake the subsequent clinical module.



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) together with the principles of patient consultation. The module will also ensure students have a thorough understanding of the NHS and the role of different clinical teams, and the relevant legal and ethical principles, as well as exposing students to introductory interactive placements in primary and acute medical care.

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 principles 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 Physician Associate core syllabus and critically apply it to relevant case scenarios.

5.Exhibit professional behaviour & probity

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The module will be based around the PA core syllabus (https://www.fparcp.co.uk/examinations ), to ensure that students are adequately prepared for their more hands-on clinical placements in Year 2.

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 flipped classroom, scenario-based discussions, problem-based and case-based learning. Students will undertake work-based learning within General Practice and Acute General Medicine to familiarise themselves with fundamental clinical practice and assessment. Learning will begin to be contextualised according to the placements tha t the students are undertaking. The Programme Handbook summarises the core clinical skills to be covered in PMM1PPA (and to be continued during PMM2PPA).

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

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	120	120	120
Practicals classes and workshops	81	81	78
Work-based learning	45	45	60
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20	20
Wider reading (directed)	5	5
Exam revision/preparation	10	10	30
Preparation for presentations			3
Completion of formative assessment tasks	10
Reflection	15	10	12
Total hours by term	306	291	303
Total hours for module	900

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 their portfolio of learning during the year, which includes a log of reflective learning experience, case reports, and placement-related assessments. Students will also have in-module systems-based assessment of knowledge and its application to clinical scenarios, and a peer-assessed patient-case presentation.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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 examinations are based on current pass requirements for the FPA National Examination.

Reassessment arrangements:

Students are normally permitted one further attempt at any failed summative assessments.  If a student is deemed to be a potential risk to patients 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 text books: A wide variety of text books 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 at approximately £90-160

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: Professional clothing for placements, scrubs will be available and will incur a small deposit.

4) Printing and binding: Printing facilities are available on campus at approximately £0.05 per page

5) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Students will need to travel to placements in the community and this could incur additional travel costs if they visit venues geographically further away.1) Required text books: A wide variety of text books 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 at approximately £90-160

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: Professional clothing for placements, scrubs will be available and will incur a small deposit.

4) Printing and binding: Printing facilities are available on campus at approximately £0.05 per page

5) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Students will 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