Clinical Skills 1
Credit points
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Prerequisites
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
Clinical Skills 1 introduces students to clinical communication, examination, and management within the context of osteopathic practice. Students commence their development of patient communication through history taking relating to a musculoskeletal complaint. Osteopathic management techniques for the upper extremity are explored in this unit, with students being able to commence their manual and non-manual therapy patient management skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Apply the principles of informed consent and obtain consent from a simulated patient;
- Articulate aspects of the history taking process and record key components of a presenting complaint;
- Perform and interpret a clinical and musculoskeletal physical examination of the upper extremity;
- Review diagnostic approaches for clinical conditions of the upper extremity; and
- Apply and explain osteopathic manual techniques and management for the upper extremity.
Assessment
For Melbourne campuses
The clinical history taking report assesses the students’ ability to competently undertake and note a clinical history. Verbal and non-verbal communication skills are assessed as well as student’s ability to obtain informed consent from a simulated patient.
The theory test assesses the student’s understanding of the principles of informed consent and safety, knowledge of diagnostic approaches for conditions of the upper extremity, and their understanding of the mechanisms underpinning osteopathic manual technique and management.
The observed performance in a simulated setting (OPSS) assesses the student's capacity to competently perform an assessment of, and management for, a simulated case related to the upper extremity, as well as obtain informed consent.
Assessment type: Report | Grade: 20%
History Taking (300 words)
Assessment type: Test | Grade: 30%
Theory test (45 minutes, MCQ and short answer questions, in-class, invigilated)
Assessment type: Examination | Grade: 50%
Observed Performance in a Simulated Setting (OPSS) 30 minutes (Hurdle Requirement)
A minimum of 80% attendance is required for all practical workshops, which develop knowledge, competency and safety in practical clinical assessment and treatment skills. These requirements align with the VU Osteopathic Course documentation to the Australian Osteopathic Accreditation Council. The Observed Performance in a Simulated Setting (OPSS) is a hurdle assessment as it evaluates student competency in clinical assessment and treatment which are essential for patient safety in osteopathic practice. A pass grade (50%) for the unit overall in addition to a pass grade of (50%) for the OPSS is required to satisfactorily pass the unit.
Required reading
Students will be provided with an up-to-date reading list via the VU Collaborate system.
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: Bruker, S. & Kahn, K. (2019) Clinical Sports Medicine Volume 1 5th ed. New York, US: McGraw-Hill Education Magee, D. (2018) Orthopaedic physical assessment. 7th ed. St Louis, US: Elsevier Saunders. DeStefano, L. (2016) Greenman's Principles of Manual Medicine 5th ed. Philadelphia, US: Lippincott Williams Wilkins
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):