This programme of study has been created to align with workforce development and supports the progression of staff, in accordance with the standards set by professional, statutory and regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). The 2 modules of this programme are contemporary, in that they meet the needs of the stakeholders and will continue to do so in the future.
This programme will give you knowledge, understanding and competency in communication, consultation and history taking skills, along with physical examination and clinical decision-making skills. Once seen as the remit of the medical profession, these skills are now widely utilised in healthcare practice by many different health professions. This meets the changing demands within the clinical environment within all healthcare professions. Changes to roles and responsibilities have been inevitable and in recent times, we have seen students from many health professions gain enhanced assessment skills, which they have utilised in their practice. Nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacists, now study these modules in order to develop their practice and improve the service they provide to patients/service users. This programme and the modules within it, support self-development whilst meeting the demands of the services in which you practice. It will enhance your assessment, examination and clinical decision making skills. Although it does not confer upon you the status of advanced practitioner or diagnostician, these enhanced skills will allow you to fulfil a practice gap which exists between post-registration practitioner and advanced practitioner. It will develop your history taking and physical examination skills, to a level where you are able to differentiate normal from abnormal presentations, communicate your findings accurately to clinical colleagues and refer appropriately those who may require more detailed assessment or management.
Why Choose University of Cumbria
- We're amongst the UK's leading universities health and social care departments
- Choose to study at our Carlisle or Lancaster campuses or complete the course entirely by distance learning
- Study on a modular basis and so you don’t need to commit to the full course – learning at your own, comfortable pace
- Range of modules to choose from to suit your interests and employment needs
- Taught by experienced practitioners and academics, who have extensive experience of working in the NHS and a range of other occupations
- Close support and guidance throughout your studies from a personal tutor
- Tutors carry out national and international research, are members of national advisory bodies and publish papers in their areas of expertise - which will enhance your learning
- Interactive online classrooms give you the opportunity to debate and discuss real life scenarios and experiences with fellow students, so you'll never feel like you're studying in isolation
- We’ve extensive experience as CPD distance learning providers and have a well-established online study skills package for you to use
- Bring your previous university credit with you – whether from us or another institution. We have generous allowances for the accreditation of prior learning (APL)
