Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Clinical Core 3 Practice (Medical Studies)
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Module Code	01 38632
Module Lead	Dr Robert Barry
Level	Honours Level
Credits	60
Semester	Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	This module builds on the general clinical experience gained during Clinical Core 2 and introduces students to the more specialised areas of medicine and surgery in the MBChB programme. The module itself provides a foundation for entry into the final year of the programme. Students have three hospital placements (36 weeks in all) – spread across each semester and there is a Head of Academy who oversees the provision of experience in each hospital. Specialty Medicine This is an 18 week placement in a single NHS Teaching Academy. Students will be exposed to a broad range of medical specialties, but will have a single overall clinical supervisor able to guide their learning and assess their progress / behaviour. Students may also be required to attend additional placements in a palliative care setting. Psychiatry and Neurology This is a 9 week block in which students will undertake clinical placements in both psychiatric and clinical neurology settings. Surgery and Perioperative Care A further 9 week block in which students will be based predominantly at one Teaching Academy for specialist surgical, rheumatology and peri-operative care experience. Students may also attend a placement based at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. Community-Based Medicine During the 18 weeks students will also continue to attend their community-based medicine (CBM) placements. In their CBM placement students continue to observe and participate in GP consultations and helps students to retain a more rounded view of the patient journey. Independent learning is vital in both hospital and community settings, in which learning is often determined by the particular patients and problems present, rather than by a set timetable. Through their independent interaction with patients, students gain confidence and competence in communication and physical examination. They learn about the common problems presenting to doctors in the more specialised branches of medicine and surgery and the ways in which they are managed. They also develop more understanding of the thinking processes that underlie diagnosis and the way in which management decisions are made and further develop the skills in these areas that they require. In doing this they are utilising, applying and building on the knowledge of clinical sciences delivered during the first two years and on the introduction to clinical practice delivered in the third year. Students who make a decision to leave the MBChB may signal their intention to transfer to the BSc Medical Studies at any point during the year, but will undertake the learning for this module as part of the MBChB Clinical Core 3 cohort. Students who fail the MBChB module but achieve the 40% requirement for accreditation of modules within standard University honours degree programmes will be transferred to this and the practice module post-reassessment.
Learning Outcomes	The doctor as a scholar and scientist Demonstrate an understanding of the basic sciences and the key concepts of clinical sciences and apply them in their clinical learning in specialist clinical settings: recognising the importance of both to the study of medicine and to clinical practice in all settings Demonstrate a scientific understanding of an agreed range of common and less common diseases, their causes and prevention, mechanisms and clinical presentation and their investigation and evidence-based management in the specialist clinical setting Demonstrate an understanding of the physical, psychological, sociological factors influencing mental health and the psychological and social effects of serious physical illness and hospitalisation. The doctor as a practitioner Demonstrate good interpersonal/communication skills when interviewing and negotiating with patients and their families in a range of specialist settings and competence in undertaking and recording a physical and mental state examination that is appropriate to the setting and the circumstance. Demonstrate critical thinking in synthesising the information gained from the patient, considering possible diagnoses and proposing investigations which may confirm a diagnosis / narrow the diagnostic field Demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic options available in specialist clinical placements in relation to an agreed range of presentations / conditions and of the decision making processes whereby clinical management decisions are made. Demonstrate a commitment to the involvement of the patient and their family in decisions about their clinical management and a recognition of the particular responsibilities placed on the doctor in those limited circumstances where this is not possible Demonstrate the required progress / competence in the range of clinical procedures as set out in the Clinical Skills Passport, showing an understanding of the use of the procedure in common situations. Practice as a clinical learner in a manner that demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the patient safety agenda as it applies to the particular circumstances of their specialist clinical placements: ensuring that all precautions are taken to minimise the particular risks inherent in the individual clinical environment. The doctor as a professional Use information effectively in a clinical learning context, making use of ICT to support clinical learning and recognising the growing importance of ICT in the management of clinical care. Meet the requirements of confidentiality / data protection legislation and codes of practice for the Trust and the programme, demonstrating a recognition of the importance of these matters in professional learning and practice. Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to the ethical and legal principles which inform and regulate professional learning and practice, and behaviour in relation to patients, fellow health care workers and the general public. Demonstrate the skills and attitudes required to make appropriate use of the opportunities presented by a range of specialist clinical learning environments and in the primary care setting. Demonstrate a developing knowledge of the roles fulfilled by other health care professionals in a range of specialist clinical environments and a commitment to working effectively as part of the multi-professional team. Demonstrate an understanding of the organisation of the NHS and health care provider bodies in primary, secondary and tertiary care, and an awareness of and commitment to the service improvement agenda. Demonstrate an understanding of the current limits of their professional competence and a commitment to working within these.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment:: 2x unseen 2 hour MCQ papers consisting of 100 questions each (examinations run in April/May outside of university examination period) Reassessment:: Repeat of MCQ assessment
Other
Reading List