Faculty of Health

Module content/learning outcomes
The module will give candidates the opportunity to learn in a clinical environment supported by small group tutorials. They will have real life patients to assess and manage supported by discussion and feedback with experienced staff from a range of healthcare professions. This style of experiential learning reflects the work environment of the students. Feedback on knowledge, performance and further learning can be given quickly to support the student's further development.

Module session dates
Induction 18 January 2012 compulsory.
By arrangement: 13 clinic visits, 8 core musculoskeletal interface clinics. Choice of 5 additional clinics from rheumatology, pain management, spinal clinics and combined orthopaedic clinic.

Module aims
To increase the candidate’s knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal disease. To increase the candidate's knowledge of the multidisciplinary teams role in managing musculoskeletal disease. To increase the candidate’s awareness of new ways of working within the musculoskeletal environment.

Entry requirements
This module is aimed at qualified physiotherapists, general practitioners, GP VTS SHO's, GP registrars, medical staff interesting in learning more about musculoskeletal medicine, nurses and occupational therapists. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists should be working at Band 7 or above [or equivalent]. Nurses should be working at Clinical Specialist or above [or equivalent]. Applicants may be invited for an interview to review entry requirements and pre-requisites. Candidates should normally have a first or second-class honours degree in a relevant subject and a recognized professional qualification and appropriate current professional registration and insurance. Candidates without degrees may be considered on an individual basis. A letter of support from the candidate's manager would be required to assure the module team that they are working within an appropriate clinical context. Each candidate would be required to produce evidence of all mandatory training within their own organization including Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, Infection Control, Manual Handling and Fire and Health and Safety prior to being accepted onto the module.

Indicative content:

• Introduction to the current healthcare policy and practice that impacts on musculoskeletal services.
• Basic principles of current musculoskeletal assessment and diagnosis will be revisited and built upon to include more advanced clinical reasoning.
• Common disease presentations.
• Detail of the current evidence around the influences on diagnosis, prognosis and outcome e.g. red flags.
• Basic principles of investigations will be revisited and built upon to include more advanced interpretation.
• Formulation of appropriate management plans.
• Exploring the current role of the multidisciplinary team within a clinic and the wider healthcare environment.
• Formulation of a learning log/reflective portfolio for those students who feel this is appropriate for their own learning needs. This is optional.

Teaching Format and Breakdown of Hours:

Students will be required to attend a total of 13 clinical sessions: a minimum of 8 musculoskeletal Interface clinics then 5 clinics can be chosen from a range of clinics these include pain clinics, Staffordshire Acute Back Pain Service and combined rheumatology and orthopaedic clinics.

Assessment Type:

• 100% of marks Portfolio of 3,000 words with appropriate appendices; demonstrating integration of evidence and clinical expertise to improve patient care, and evidence application of learning in student’s area of practice.
• Students are also required to achieve a pass in 6 mini clinical examinations (Mini CEX)