Advanced Clinical Practice

Students must complete either:

MPHE 5208 (45 credits) or MPHE 5801 (30 credits). These are the physical examination / history taking modules. Both incorporate elements of pathophysiology and diagnostic reasoning, with MPHE 5208 having a more general medical slant and including more pathophysiology. The modules are delivered together, with MPHE 5208 having a further 4 days once MPHE 5801 finishes. Both are assessed with a combination of OSCEs, case study and practice portfolio.

If you do not work in an environment where you will have the opportunity to see / examine all systems, then you will need to be able to take time to access such an environment.

These modules will enable the student to critically appraise the underlying principles of consultation and physical examination. The module will enable the student to make informed judgements, problem solve and identify complex health needs and issues specific to an advanced clinical role.

Allied issues such as requesting investigations, inter-professional team working, patient referral mechanisms and professional accountability in an advanced role are also addressed. It is aimed at those health care practitioners who will be professionally supported in this active interventionist role. It is relevant to Registered Paramedics, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals working within a variety of primary and secondary care settings.

Prescribing.

If the student is from a profession that is legislatively able to prescribe, then they MUST undertake the non-medical prescribing course (PG cert) as part of this programme. Please see the non-medical prescribing course web page for further information. This is 60 credits (45 for pharmacists).

This course cannot be undertaken until the successful completion of a physical examination course.

If the student is not legislatively able to prescribe currently (e.g. paramedics) then they must make up the 60 credits from the wider DMU M level portfolio, using modules with a clinical / advanced practice focus.

Research Module

Students can chose from a variety of research modules, the completion of any one of which is compulsory. The choice will depend on the student’s requirements in terms of number of credits, and their potential research interests. See individual module webpages for more information:

HEST 5001 research designs in health (30) – this module has a more qualitative focus.

SPEC 5602 Using evidence to develop service and advance nursing practice (15) A generalist perspective.

HEST 5016 Making sense of quantitative and qualitative data (30) If you want to know more about quantitative this is a good choice.

Dissertation:

All students must complete the dissertation (MPHE 5007). This is a 60 credit 20,000 word assignment, which can take many forms including empirical research, audit, literature review or service development; or a combination of these.

To summarise, most students must undertake:

A clinical examination module

A research module

The prescribing course

The dissertation

It is possible to exit the course without doing the dissertation (if the other modules are completed) and gain the award of PG Dip in Advanced clinical practice. A PG cert is also available if a student completes a physical examination module and a research module, but please note; this is NOT a PG cert Advanced Clinical Practice.