• Medical Practice & Patient Care I

  This is the first of three modules in Medical Practice and Patient Care which is aligned to the National Curriculum published by the Faculty of Physician Associates. Develop a critical understanding of pathophysiology in named physiological systems. This module will provide you with core knowledge of basic medical sciences in the fields of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology/histology, microbiology and genetics. You’ll develop a critical understanding in the following topics, considering children, adults and elderly care, including an appreciation of the applied pharmacology of disease, patient considerations and management of the associated diseases; Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system, Endocrine system, Skin & Infection and Mental Health It’ll be summatively assessed by an in-class test and an end-of-module exam. To support you to prepare for these assessments, formative assessment will include weekly self-directed assessment and class discussion.

• Medical Practice & Patient Care II

  In this module you’ll build on knowledge gained in Medical Practice & Patient Care I. It’ll support you to develop the assessment skills necessary to undertake patient assessment and engagement. You’ll be given the opportunity to develop your skills in the application of this knowledge in clinical reasoning and the planning of management strategies. You’ll develop a critical understanding in the following topics, considering children, adults and elderly care, including an appreciation of the applied pharmacology of disease, patient considerations and management of the associated diseases; Musculoskeletal systemm, Gastrointestinal system, Neurological system, Haematology, Renal & Genitourinary, Female reproduction and Sexual Health It’ll be summatively assessed by an in-class test and an end-of-module exam. To support you to prepare for these assessments, formative assessment will include weekly self-directed assessment and class discussion.

• Medical Practice & Patient Care III

  This module will build upon the knowledge and skills of the previous two modules. You’ll develop a critical understanding in the following topics, including an appreciation of the applied pharmacology of disease, patient considerations and management of the associated diseases; Paediatrics, Ears, nose and throat (ENT), Care of the elderly, Diseases of the eye andObservation and judgement in children and young people’s development. It’ll be summatively assessed by an end of module exam. To support you to prepare for the exam, formative assessment will include weekly self-directed assessment and class discussion.

• Policy, Practice & Governance

  Explore the broader context of clinical practice, recognising that practitioners should have core knowledge, skills and values that promote equality, diversity and respect when working with patients, carers and families. In addition, the role of research, clinical governance and management of risk to underpin safe and effective practice are explored. The module will cover the following; Patient information sharing, Patient rights, Equality & diversity, Ethical & legal issues impacting patient care, carers and society, Safeguarding (adults and children), Accurate medical records including timeliness and relevance, Clinical audit and Research approaches and design. It’ll be summatively assessed by two written think pieces. To support you to prepare for these assessments, formative assessment will include weekly self-directed assessment and class discussion.

• Primary Care Practice

  This module supports your clinical development in line with the role of a Physician Associate (PA). It supports the learning of module one and two and comprises clinical placement coupled with the clinical skill development. It’ll support you to develop the procedural (clinical) skills necessary to undertake patient assessment and engagement with a focus of disease presentation and patient interaction. You’ll be given the opportunity to develop your skills in the application of your clinical knowledge as part of the community placement, including GP Practices. It’ll be summatively assessed by a Clinical Skills Passport (CSP) and the completion of a practice assessment document (PAD).

Year two, core modules

• Quality Improvement in the NHS

  Introducing the concepts and approaches of delivering a quality improvement plan for the NHS. It focuses on the rationale and approaches to continuous review and reflect and the importance for patient care. Specifically, following the development of best practices and process, you’ll be required to identify, plan and undertake an appropriate quality improvement project whilst in practice. Data authenticity and suitability will be explored and suitable methodologies for collection and analysis discussed. Descriptive statistics and data presentation will be employed. It’ll be summatively assessed through the synthesis of a quality improvement project using primary data.

• Medical Practice in Primary & Secondary Care

  Building on the theoretical, procedural and clinical learning developed in year 1, it comprises clinical placement coupled with clinical skills development. You’ll complete clinical hours in a range of specified areas of clinical speciality both within primary and secondary care. It’ll support you to further enhance your patient assessment and management skills, develop procedural skills and engage with the wider multi-disciplinary team. You’ll be able to engage with patients in a wide variety of clinical settings in order to develop your skills in the application of clinical knowledge and enhance your communication skills in order to meet the needs of patients from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds. It’ll be summatively assessed SBA (single best answer) exam, OSCE and the completion of a Practice Assessment Document (PAD).