Clinical Assessment in Primary and Community Care Nursing (Level 7)

Content outline

* Consultation models and methods of person centred comprehensive, holistic systematic history taking and documentation

* Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system

* Anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system

* Anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system

* Anatomy and physiology of the urinary system

* Physical examination skills (including auscultation, inspection, palpation and percussion) to assess the aforementioned systems

* Interpretation of assessment findings to enable the distinction between normal and abnormal findings and formulate differential diagnoses using a variety of diagnostic support tools

* Role of the interdisciplinary and interagency team in delivering specialist person-centred care in complex, challenging and unpredictable circumstances for children, young people, persons, family, carers, nominated persons.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for registered nurses working in primary and community care settings who would like to advance their knowledge and skills in clinical assessment. This module would be a pertinent as a preparatory module for those considering applying to the MSc/PgDip Public Health and Specialist Community Nursing Programme (Community Nursing in Health and Social Care, District Nursing)

Timetable

This course runs in the autumn and summer each year.

Term 1

Sep: 24th  September  2026

Oct:  8th and 15th October 2026

Nov:  12th and 26th November 2026

Exams: 8^th and  9^th December 2025

Term 3:

May: 5th and 19th May 2027

June: 9th, 23rd, and 30th June 2027

July: 1^st July 2026

Exams: 6^th and 7^th July 2027

Benefits

The module will support you to effectively assess children, young people, and adults with undiagnosed presentations, distinguish normal from abnormal findings and formulate differential diagnoses in order to manage, treat and/or refer patients.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 15 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to:

Knowledge:

* Detect symptoms which suggest significant pathology (red flags) and evaluate physical signs to differentiate between normal and abnormal

* Critically analyse and interpret history and physical findings to develop appropriate differential diagnoses and a plan of action (including anticipatory care) based on research and national guidelines and protocols

* Critically assess when additional expertise is necessary and when there is a need to make objective and appropriate referrals

Skills:

* Implement a consultation model to frame a consultation and use the presenting problem to guide the assessment strategy

* Demonstrate knowledge of when and how to use equipment

* Critically reflect on an assessment you have undertaken and the performance feedback you have received and respond constructively

* Generate highly structured notes documenting the progress of a consultation to provide evidence of patient contact and to inform the clinical reasoning process

Values and attitudes:

* Promote the child’s, young persons, persons, parents, families, carers, nominated persons, comfort, privacy and dignity and judge when the use of chaperones is appropriate

* Promote professional standards associated with assessing, diagnosing and caring for patients with complex, challenging and unpredictable situation or patients showing signs of deteriorating health

* Promote effective collaboration within an interdisciplinary and interagency context, with an awareness of the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion necessary for working in partnership with young persons, persons, parents, families, carers, nominated persons.

Assessment

Summative:

The assessment for this module consists of one part. You will have the opportunity to practice for your formative OSCE in the class environment and receive constructive feedback.

Formative:

The assessment for this module consists of one part. You will participate in a 20-minute OSCE in which you will be required to demonstrate and reflect upon your ability to undertake a comprehensive holistic person-centred assessment incorporating physical assessment for a patient scenario that is pertinent to your specialist area of practice.

Certificates

The module is available as a core module for students studying the MSc/PgDip Public Health and Specialist Community Nursing Programme (General Practice Nursing Pathway)

The module is available as an optional elective module for students studying the MSc/PgDip Public Health and Specialist Community Nursing Programme (Community Children’s Nursing, Community Nursing in Health and Social Care Nursing, District Nursing Pathway).

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

"Alternatively, As a health and/or social care professional, once you've completed this module you could offset 15 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

Eligibility

You must be registered in the United Kingdom as a nurse, midwife or allied health professional.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

A first degree from a UK university

A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City St George's, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.

International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0

Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required

TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking

Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

English requirements

For those students whose first language is not English the following qualification is also required:

• IELTS: 7.0

Bickley, L. and Szilagyi, P.G., (2020) Bates' guide to physical examination and history-taking. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Cox, C. ed., (2019) Physical assessment for nurses. Third Edition. London: Wiley Blackwell

Elsevier. Cross, S., & Rimmer, M. (Eds). (2007) Nurse Practitioner: Manual of clinical skills. (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Balliere Tindall.

Hopcroft, K. and Forte, V., (2020) Symptom sorter. CRC Press.

Simon, C., et al, (2020) Oxford handbook of general practice. Oxford University Press.

Willis, L., (2017). Health assessment made incredibly visible. Wolters Kluwer