Advanced Musculoskeletal Assessment

This module is recommended for you if you are an experienced physiotherapist, nurse, or general practitioner working in the area of musculoskeletal medicine and are keen to expand your knowledge and skills in order to manage patients with a range of musculoskeletal conditions beyond your normal scope of practice.

It is designed to enable you to undertake an advanced assessment including the use of additional diagnostic tools such as radiographic imaging and laboratory investigations as part of your expanded musculoskeletal practice.

The module is delivered over three full day sessions. You are expected to attend all study days and are also required to attend a practical exam/viva.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module you would be expected to be able to:

• demonstrate a skilled examination of the musculoskeletal system
• critically evaluate the use of additional diagnostic tools within the assessment of patients with musculoskeletal pathologies
• critically evaluate and use the available evidence base in relation to decision making within musculoskeletal assessment

Our expert staff

A variety of tutors contribute to this module including radiologists, consultant neurophysiologist, consultant rheumatologists and other specialists in their fields.

You may apply for the module, provided you have:

• a relevant first degree, OR relevant professional experience or qualifications that demonstrates ability to study at level seven
• a minimum of one year post-registration experience
• current registration with the relevant UK or equivalent professional body: HCPC or equivalent registration, e.g. in case of doctors (GMC) and nurses (NMC).

Module Outline

• Clinical assessment of musculoskeletal conditions
• integration of information from a variety of sources
• Use of laboratory and radiological investigations
• Common and important uncommon musculoskeletal conditions

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

The assessment has been designed to allow you to explore areas of personal interest or clinical expertise:

• 20-minute subjective presentation (40 per cent). You present a patient you have assessed. This case study is a vehicle to evidence a critical understanding of one component of the subjective examination.
• Portfolio of evidence (60 per cent). This portfolio should total approximately 2000 words and be made up of a number of contributions. The portfolio should contain a compulsory case study (1500 words), a critical evaluation of the role of one component of the objective examination; as well as other components made available during the course.

• Fees for 2024-25 (.PDF).

If you have any questions about the module fees please email msk@essex.ac.uk.

In the first instance approach your Education Liaison Manager to see if funding can be secured via the organisation you are working for.

To apply for an individual module please complete the module application form (.docx) and email to msk@essex.ac.uk for the attention of Sophie Young.