Clinical Skills 5
Credit points
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Prerequisites
HBS2002 - Clinical Skills 4A; and
HBO3008 - Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 8
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
Clinical Skills 5 develops clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills, to prepare students entering clinical placement and osteopathic practice. The unit further develops students’ skills in case-history taking, clinical examination, osteopathic manual techniques and management of common conditions presenting in osteopathic practice relating to the abdomen. There is a focus on the development of new skills in High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) techniques for junctional regions and visceral manual osteopathic technique. Students participate in clinical placement observation hours alongside this unit which allows students to observe these skills used in practice by senior osteopathic students.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Adapt and critically reflect on the history taking process to evaluate for presenting complaints relating to the abdomen and document key components to ensure regulatory compliance;
- Exhibit and interpret a targeted physical examination of the spine and abdomen;
- Identify acute and common abdominal conditions and determine the appropriate screening and referral pathways for their optimal management; and
- Exhibit osteopathic manual techniques and articulate management strategies for conditions of the spine and viscera.
Assessment
For Melbourne campuses
In the case-history taking reflection, students will participate in a simulated case interaction with a peer and are required to demonstrate their history taking skills, identify and record the details of the patient case and write a short reflection on their performance. The invigilated case study analysis will require students to apply their knowledge relating to the presentation of abdominal conditions including, clinical features, screening, referral pathways and patient management strategies. The Observed Performance in a Simulated Setting (OPSS) is a face-to-face practical skills demonstration of the vital signs, abdominal examination, visceral osteopathic technique and spinal manual therapy techniques.
Assessment type: Other | Grade: 20%
Case history recording and history-taking reflection task (800 words)
Assessment type: Case Study | Grade: 30%
Individual case study analysis (MCQ and extended response, 90mins in-class, invigilated)
Assessment type: Examination | Grade: 50%
Observed Performance in a Simulated Setting (OPSS) (hurdle requirement) (45mins)
80% attendance is required for practical workshops and labs, which develop knowledge, competency and safety in practical clinical assessment and treatment skills. These requirements align with the VU Osteopathic Course documentation to the AOAC. The Observed Performance in a Simulated Setting (OPSS) is a hurdle requirement as it evaluates student competency in clinical assessment and treatment which are essential for patient safety.
Required reading
Manipulation of the spine, thorax and pelvis: An osteopathic perspective
Gibbons, P., & Tehan, P. (2016) | Australia: Elsevier.
Evidence Informed Orthopedic Conditions: 300+ Patient Centred Principles and Best Practices.
Vizniak, N. A., Fairweather, L., Murray, N., Hussain, S., DeLapp, D., Eni, G., Davidson, T., & Hedrich, T. (2022). | Professional Health Systems Incorporated.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS: DeStefano, L. A. (2017) Greenman's principles of manual medicine 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA. : Wolters Kluwer. Bickley, L. S. & Szilagyi, P.G. (2017) Bates' guide to physical examination and history taking 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA. : Wolters Kluwer, There are no set journals for this unit. Students will be provided with an up to date reading list via the VU Collaborate system
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):