Clinical Skills 4A

Unit code: HBS2002 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
City Campus
Prerequisites
HBS1104 - Clinical Skills 1; and
HBO2007 - Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 7
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

This unit introduces students to clinical examination, medical tests and osteopathic management and treatment techniques relevant to the conditions affecting the thorax and cranial nerves. With this unit, students will further develop psychomotor skills in high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation. Students will be able to develop their psychomotor skills in HVLA on peers under close guidance from educators. Students will build on previous knowledge on history taking skills and will learn how to develop focussed questions for a specific complaint. Clinical reasoning continues to be developed in this unit with a focus on patient presentations affecting the thorax, however there is an expectation students are now able to integrate information from a patient history, clinical examination and medical tests to justify their differential diagnoses relating to a presenting complaint.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Determine key history taking questions for a presenting complaint related to the thorax, respiratory and cardiovascular systems;
  2. Exhibit and interpret a clinical examination of systemic health (vital signs) and systems of the thorax (cardiovascular, respiratory, vascular, musculoskeletal);
  3. Interpret common medical tests that may be used in diagnosis and management of conditions of the thorax;
  4. Exemplify clinical reasoning for analysing common conditions of the thorax;
  5. Exhibit and explain osteopathic manual techniques of the thorax; and
  6. Demonstrate and interpret a clinical examination of the cranial nerves.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

The online tests will assess fundamental knowledge in history taking, clinical examination and medical tests relevant to conditions of the thorax. The first test provides summative and formative feedback, and the second test assesses knowledge of the clinical topics covered over the first two weeks. Students then apply this knowledge in a case presentation in week 3. Each student is required to contribute 2-3 individually prepared and fully referenced PowerPoint slides to the group presentation. In week 4 clinical reasoning, clinical medical examination, and osteopathic treatment skills are assessed in the OPSS.

Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 15%
Online Quiz 1 (30min)
Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 25%
Online Quiz 2 (50min)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 10%
Group presentation based on a case vignette (15mins)
Assessment type: Practicum
|
Grade: 50%
Observed Performance in a Simulated Setting (OPSS) (30 minutes) (hurdle)

80% attendance is required for Clinical Skills workshops, which develop knowledge, competency and safety in practical clinical assessment and treatment skills. Students must pass the practicum assessment as demonstration of requisite assessment and treatment skills are critical to students’ safe practice with patients. These requirements align with the VU Osteopathic Course documentation to AOAC.

Required reading

Manipulation of the spine, thorax and pelvis: An osteopathic perspective.
Gibbons, P., & Tehan, P. (2016)| Australia: Elsevier.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS: Bickley, L. S., Szilagyi, P. G., & Hoffman, R. M. (2020). Bates' guide to physical examination and history taking. 13th ed. Wolters Kluwer. DeStefano, L (2017) Greenman's Principles of Manual Medicine 5th ed. Philadelphia, US: Lippincott Williams Wilkins. McRae, R. (2010) Clinical Orthopaedic Examination. 6th Ed: New York: Churchill Livingstone Magee, D & Manske, R (2020) Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 7th ed. St Louis, US: Elsevier. Vizniak, N. A., Fairweather, L., Murray, N., Hussain, S., DeLapp, D., Eni, G., Davidson, T., & Hedrich, T. (2022). Evidence Informed Orthopedic Conditions: 300+ Patient Centred Principles and Best Practices. Professional Health Systems Incorporated

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy)
HCOP | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4.5 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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