Respiratory Examination

Level 7 Module - 15 credits

Module Code: 7FHH1084

Compulsory Module - MSc Respiratory Practice

Module Aim:

The aim of this module is to enable the student to advance their knowledge relating to clinical examination and develop an understanding of the role it performs in the formulation of a differential diagnosis. The practical application demonstrates systematic enquiry and facilities students to creatively gain competence in their skills of examination and confidence in their ability to exercise their initiative to autonomously make appropriate clinical decisions relating to respiratory practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding:

Successful students will typically be able to demonstrate complex analysis and synthesis of the assessment process to inform the clinical examination and predict the patient responses based upon accepted norms, pathophysiological principles and the limitation of clinical examination findings in isolation.

Skills and attributes:

Successful students will typically be able to:

1. Competently demonstrate skills of clinical examination, exercising initiative to make appropriate clinical decisions and recognising the limitations of their own abilities within the role.

2. Utilise skills of advanced reasoning to interpret the significance of findings applied to individual patients to reach a differential diagnosis.

3. Clinically examine patients cognisant of the medico-legal issues relating to practice.

Module content

The module contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding of clinical examination and the principles which underpin respiratory assessment and diagnosis. Students will utilise the history-taking and assessment process to predict findings and then undertake a clinical examination, using the data and findings to support or disprove their theories.

During the module, students will formatively be developing skills in the classroom and in practice using a structured format to prepare them f

Module Assessment:

60 minute OSCE

Assessment type

OSCE: 100% Weighting: 100%

The student will complete a 60 minute OSCE relating to a surrogate patient. Utilising the information provided, the student will systematically perform a respiratory examination using pathophysiological principles and knowledge of respiratory practice to inform the process.

The student will be provided with information relating to the initial assessment of a surrogate patient including details from a history-taking. Each student will critically analyse the information to outline their approach and discuss their predicted findings and suspected outcomes providing sound reasoning for their decisions to inform the OSCE.

During the OSCE the student will be expected to discuss the respiratory examination and the implications of the findings in reaching an informed decision in terms of the need for further investigations and differential diagnosis.

Pre and Co Requisites:

Students studying this module would normally be required to complete 7FHH1082 Respiratory Assessment or have experience of the assessment process.

Attendance requirements:

There are two study days timetabled into this 15 week module plus a further OSCE assessment day.

The module is run on a flexible learning basis supported by comprehensive course materials (including course packs and e-learning modes). Two structured study days will facilitate classroom-based workshops, lectures and discussions. In addition, student participation, interaction and peer support will be facilitated through the use of an electronic platform.

These approaches will enable students to reflect upon existing knowledge and skills, evaluate evidence, develop problem-solving skills and thus develop personal knowledge in this area of respiratory care.