Consultation and Assessment Skills

For module start dates, view the 2023-24 Module Calendar (.docx)

Health care professionals increasingly work outside their traditional boundaries of practice. In their work as skilled clinicians they seek to enhance the patient experience by bridging gaps in service provision. However, the quality and safety of patient care is dependent on professionals having comprehensive and current skills and knowledge.

This module has been designed for experienced nurses and allied health professionals working in clinical settings. A systems-based approach is used during the module to provide you with the clinical skills and underpinning theoretical evidence to undertake clinical consultation and assessment.

After the module you will be able to recognise the early onset of acute illness and provide objective clinical data to multi-disciplinary colleagues, enhancing patient safety and the effectiveness of patient care.

This module fits well into our MSc Advanced Clinical Practice pathway.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module you will be able to:

1. Take a clear and concise medical and psychosocial history from patients.
2. Perform appropriate physical examination including: chest/respiratory; heart/circulatory; abdominal; neurological.
3. Recognise abnormal physical features in association with diagnostic test results.
4. Be able to interpret clinical and psychosocial data and recognise the ill patient.
5. Be able to suggest appropriate investigations and treatments.
6. Take appropriate action.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This module can be used as part of an accredited academic pathway (such as Advanced Clinical Practitioner).

Our expert staff

Experts within various specialist fields support sessions throughout the timetable. This includes a pharmacist who delivers the pharmacology content.

We also have expert lecturers within our own team who contribute on key subject matters.

What our participants say

“I enjoyed the course very much and I found all the lectures very informative and interesting”

“I have enjoyed abdominal, respiratory and neurological teaching”

“I have learned how to do a thorough assessment”

“Liked learning new skills and knowledge

All students should be registered with a health professional regulator and competent within their field of practice, with an ability and confidence to work autonomously.

Module Outline

Eight structured study sessions conducted at weekly intervals. These sessions will use a systems-based approach to provide you with the clinical skills and underpinning theoretical evidence to undertake clinical consultation and assessment. They are designed to expose you to the systematic approach to physical assessment adopted by doctors.

In this way, it is hoped that you will be able to recognise the early onset of acute illness and will be able to furnish the doctor with objective clinical data. The underpinning philosophy of this module, therefore, is that patient safety will be enhanced, and that members of the multi-disciplinary team will work more cohesively towards achieving the ultimate objective, i.e the best interests of the patient.

In addition to this, you are encouraged to arrange informal sessions with a medical mentor within your own clinical area. The mentor should also conduct formative practical assessments towards the end of the module, which will identify knowledge and skills gaps so that you can confidently approach the summative assessment. There is a one-session summative practical assessment.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Assessment strategy

Portfolio – which includes 3 written case studies (1000 words each) and a 2000 word case study.

Our CPD Funding page has more information on fees for our modules and potential funding sources.

We have guidance on making your application and the forms to download on our how to apply page.