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MDSA30300

Academic Year 2024/2025

Clinical Skills (MDSA30300)

Subject:
Medicine Systems One
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr John Seery
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Clinical Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This course introduces students to the process of information gathering, physical examination and communication with patients. Using a combination of student role-play, video recording, standardized patients (actors) and actual patients, students will learn the skills of history taking, communication and physical exam. The course is predominantly practical in nature and the emphasis is on development of core skills. It is supported by a lecture programme which serves to orientate students to the learning tasks and to complement the skills elements of the course with an introduction to other key elements of clinical practice. These include manual handling, occupational health, hygiene and risk management, professionalism, management of acute and chronic illness and lifelong learning. The module provides students with an opportunity to learn clinical practice in a range of clinical sites – hospitals and general practices from UCD’s Primary Care Teaching Network.

Mandatory minimum attendance of 80% in order to pass module.

Professionalism:
Professionalism is integral to and will be assessed throughout the module. Any behaviour which is considered to be in breach of professional behaviour as set out in the School's Statement on Fitness to Practice (in addition to the University's policy) will be formally noted. This forms part of the ‘must pass’ component of the assessment.

This course also introduces students to the background physiology, common disorders and basic clinical skills related to the specialties of reproductive medicine, paediatrics, and psychological medicine. Using a combination of student role-play, standardised patients (actors), simulator manikins, students will learn the skills of history-taking and physical examination with specific reference to primary care, childbirth and the perinatal period, early childhood and mental health.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Learning outcomes for this module include:

1. History taking (This will be more demo and practice rather than didactic)
a. Student can take a full and complete history from a patient at all life stages and in the acute and community setting
b. Students can generate a patient problem list using the biopsychosocial model
c. Students can generate a differential diagnosis for the following complaints (suggested basic core cases in Resp, Cardio, Renal, GI)

2. Physical Examination
a. Students understand the anatomical and physical principles underlying basic systems examination
b. Students have mastered the skill of full physical examination for all major systems and at all life stages.

3. Professionalism & Behaviour
a. Students understand and apply the principles of professional behaviour in their encounters with patients in Belfield and clinical sites
b. Choice, consent and confidentiality underpin all clinical encounters

4. Practical Procedures
a. Handwashing & infection control (include sign off)
b. Venepuncture/cannulation, taking blood & accidental needlestick injury
c. BP, urinalysis, BLS
d. Mini ATLS – ABC principles

5. The Consultation and Communication Skills in Practice
a. The art of communication
b. Models of communication in practice




6. Care in Medicine
a. Students develop an empathic and patient centered approach to patients


7. Biomedical science underpinning all of the above
a. Science of empathy
b. Psychology of illness, care, resilience
c. Structure of the health service and access to care
d. Medical Care as a right
e. Conservative practice / economics of medical care (this may crossover/be better placed in PCP)


There will be 10 clinical skills workshops on the topics listed below.
1. Respiratory
2. Cardiovascular
3. Cardiovascular/Endocrine
4. GI
5. GU
6. GU Procedures
7. Locomotor (reduced from all joints to back, hip and knees only)
8. Peripheral Neurology
9. Cranial Nerves
10. Procedures/Infection Control
Students will also receive refresher training in Basic Life Support

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Lectures

25
Small Group

33
Tutorial

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

9
Practical

2
Placement/Work Experience

70
Total

251

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Skills based laboratory sessions, lectures and clinical attachments.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

For patient safety reasons, registration to this module is conditional and at the Governing Board’s discretion. Therefore, registration is subject to the successful completion of Stages 1 – 3, and the following Stage 4 modules;
MDSA30050
PATH30030
PATH30040
PHAR30060
PHAR30070


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Practical Skills Assessment: Practical Examination: Clinical Assessment in
hospitals to assess History-Taking and
Physical Examination skills, ability to present clinical
information and generate differential diagnoses
 Week 15 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% Yes
60
 Yes
Exam (Online): Continuous assessment: Psychological Medicine -
Two online continuous assessments during two of
the Psychological Medicine clinical workshops.
Equal marks for each assessment.		 End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
4
 No
Exam (In-person): One hour Reproductive and Child Health MCQ End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
20
 No
Portfolio: Log book of clinical cases and clinical skills Week 15 Graded No
10
 No
Exam (In-person): Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Final Psychological
Medicine MCQ. End of Term Assessment held at end
of final workshop		 End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No
6
 No
Exam (Online): Continuous Assessment: Reproductive Medicine
Two online assessments following Reproductive
Medicine seminars
 End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Other No
0
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Mahmoud Belnur Tutor
Dr Avinash Bhupalan Tutor
Ms Niamh Boyle Tutor
Dr Joanne Byrne Tutor
Julie-Therese Clifford Tutor
Dr Deborah Condren Tutor
Dr Jennifer Cox Tutor
Dr Cian Davis Tutor
Dr Lisa Flynn Tutor
Dr Beth Gordon Tutor
Mr Martin Heduan Tutor
Dr Ellen Horgan Tutor
Dr Roisin Horgan Tutor
Dr Robert Joyce Tutor
Mr Muhammad Junaid Tutor
Dr Karl Kavanagh Tutor
Dr Czara Kennedy Tutor
Dr Caitriona Loomes Tutor
Dr PAOLO MENEGHESSO Tutor
Ciara McCormick Tutor
Dr Lucy McKenna Tutor
Dr Danyal Memon Tutor
Dr Ashe Moore Tutor
Dr David Moynan Tutor
Dr Edward Murphy Tutor
Dr Hope Murphy O'Connor Tutor
Dr Niamh O' Brien Tutor
Dr Helen O'Brien Tutor
Dr Marissa O'Callaghan Tutor
Dr Aidan O'Dowling Tutor
Dr Fiona O'Hannigan Tutor
Dr Donal O'Malley Tutor
Dr Rhea O'Regan Tutor
Dr Annabelle Piquet Tutor
Dr Paul Rushe Tutor
Dr Odhran Ryan Tutor
Dr Anne-Marie Sweeney Tutor
Dr Ruth Walsh Tutor
Dr Jehangir khan Tutor
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