MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Principles of Physical Assessment for Paramedics
NB 203
20
Level 4
Level 5 X Level 6
Level 7
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Entry requirements for year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
X
Distance
Placement
Online
Other
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
When module is delivered
Semester 1
X
Semester 2
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module Paramedic practitioners are required to undertake a systematic physical
content and/ or aims
assessment using a primary and/or secondary survey approach. This
Overview (max 80 words)
module aims to prepare paramedics to complete an assessment of a
patient to gather subjective and objective data which can then be used to
identify appropriate paramedic actions.
Module team/ author/
Caryll Overy, Kevin Barrett, Andy Bishop, Amanda Blaber
coordinator(s)
School
Nursing and Midwifery
Site/ campus where
Falmer, Brighton
delivered
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Mandatory
Paramedic Practice BSc (Hons)
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
To develop the student’s knowledge and skills in the process of
physical assessment of patients from within paramedic practice.
To develop the student’s ability to interpret the physical assessment
findings and contribute to clinical decision making.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a safe & systematic approach when
taking a structured health history for five body systems.
2. Demonstrate a safe & systematic approach when
undertaking physical assessment for five body
systems, using appropriate techniques and tools and
terminology.
3. Identify & analyse commonly occurring abnormalities
for five body systems, and recognise abnormal findings
4. Articulate & analyse the means by which patient safety
may be ensured throughout the assessment and also
how actions can be effectively risk managed
5. Employ effective communication and interpersonal
skills and ensure patient comfort and dignity at all
times
•
Content
Overview of health history and physical assessment strategies
and skills
•
Practical, legal and ethical aspects of physical assessment
•
Systematic approach to physical assessment: scene survey,
primary survey (ABCDE), secondary survey (focused/detailed)
and ongoing assessment as relevant for the following body
systems:
Respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, abdominal,
musculoskeletal, ear/nose/throat, eyes, skin, mental health
•
Patho-physiology of common illnesses/injuries related to
paramedic practice
•
Investigations and referrals for common illnesses/injuries
related to paramedic practice
•
Interventions for common illnesses/injuries related to
paramedic practice
Record keeping for assessment findings and actions related to
paramedic practice.
Learning support
All students have access to the learning materials in the module area
within the managed learning environment of student central.
Journals:
Journal of Paramedic Practice
Journal of Emergency Primary Health Care
Emergency Medical Services
Journal of Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medicine Journal
Texts:
Bickley, L.S. 2012. Bates’ guide to physical examination and history
taking. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Blaber, A.Y. and Harris, G. ed. 2011. Assessment skills for paramedics.
Maidenhead:Open university press.
Bledsoe, B.E., R.S. Porter and R.A. Cherry. 2007 Essentials of
paramedic care. 2nd ed. Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Caroline, N.L. 2013. Nancy Caroline’s emergency care in the streets.
7th ed. London: Jones and Bartlett.
Douglas, G., F. Nicol, and C. Robertson. 2009. Macleod’i i i s clinical
examination. 12th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Elling, B. and K. Elling. 2003. Principles of patient assessment in EMS.
Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning.
Gregory, P. And I. Mursell. 2010. Manual of clinical paramedic
procedures. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Hawthorne, L. 2011. Patient assessment practice scenarios. Sudbury:
Jones and Barlett Learning.
Online Resources:
Helbock, M. and J.M. Jerin. 2011. Sick/not sick: a guide to rapid patient
assessment. 2nd ed. Sudbury: Jones and Barlett Learning.
Talley, N.J. 2010. Clinical examination: a systematic guide to physical
diagnosis. 6th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
http://www.med.ucla.edu/wilkes/intro.html
http://www.emsvillage.com/education_center/Breath_Sounds/index.cfm
http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/clinsci/callan/breath_sounds.htm
http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/medicine/pulmonar/pd/step
29e.htm
http://www.lung-auscultation.com
www.auscultationassistant.com
http://www.paramedic-resource-centre.com/
http://www.emsresponder.com/
http://www.templejc.edu/dept/ems/Pages/PowerPoint.html
http://www.defrance.org/
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
Lectures will be provided by faculty staff and invited multi-disciplinary
clinical staff
Teaching methods include: key note lectures, group debate,
demonstrations and practice of assessment techniques, Student
Central e-learning activities, DVDs, anatomical models, tutorials and
practice OSCEs
All students will be required to identify a clinical mentor who will
supervise development of practice in the paramedic practice.
Hours of study:
42 hours taught lectures (7 days)
18 hours e-learning
40 hours
200 hours total
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
42 taught lectures (7 days)
18 hours e-learning
60
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
independent learning
40
PLACEMENT
clinical hours
100
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
Assignment weighting
The student will undertake two assessment tasks: practice (50%) and theory
(50%). Both assessment tasks must achieve a minimum of 40% in order to
pass the module.
Theory 50%
E-exam 2 hours
Multiple choice examination based upon content covered in the module
including interpretation of assessment findings and appropriate actions related
to paramedic practice.
Practice 50%
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
The student will be assessed in physical assessment related to paramedic
practice of the following systems: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurological,
Abdominal, and Musculoskeletal and these will be marked according to the
SNM clinical examination criteria
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Multiple Choice Exam
50%
COURSEWORK
N/A
PRACTICAL
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
50%
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Joint BSc (Hons) Nursing, BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practice &
Foundation Degree.
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Sally Ann Arnold-Jones
Paramedic Lecturer, Coventry
University
September 2013
August 2017
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
08.07.2009
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
02.04.2014
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
Version number
02.04.2014
2
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Yes
No
X