Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Clinical Core 2
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Birmingham Medical School
Module Code	01 39384
Module Lead	Dr Neil Abeysinghe
Level	Honours Level
Credits	120
Semester	Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Work based assessments must be satisfactorily completed Students must pass the applied knowledge test and OSCE with a calibrated pass mark of 50% in each assessment
Exclusions
Description	This module combines and integrates the students’ first hospital experience with continuing experience in community based and clinical science teaching which supports them both. The module builds on the foundation provided by the mainly theoretical learning during the first two years and on their initial clinical experience in primary care. The module itself provides a transition into clinical learning, application of foundation knowledge and assimiliation of specialist clinical experience that continues into subsequent years and will prepare students for the medical licensing assessment. Students have two hospital placements (30 weeks in all) – one in each semester and there is a Head of Academy who oversees the provision of experience in each hospital. For each placement, students are assigned to a combined medical / surgical teaching firm which provides supervision and formal / informal small group teaching. Following a generic introductory period of 4 weeks for all students on placement, students are subdivided to provide experience in specialist clinical areas for a full semester. Students switch specialist areas in the second semester to provide experience to conditions not previously exposed to. However, independent learning is vital in the hospital setting 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 medicine and surgery and the ways in which they are managed. They also develop some understanding of the thinking processes that underlie diagnosis and the way in which management decisions are made and start to 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 in large part through a series of lectures in blocks in the Medical School introducing them to the fundamentals of pathology, clinical chemistry, haematology, infection and immunity. In their community-based medicine (CBM) placement, students continue to observe and participate in GP consultations, but also take on a ‘study caseload’ in which they have regular contact through the year with a number of patients in different categories (e.g. a woman at the end of pregnancy; a baby; someone with a chronic condition). The CBM experience in relation to patients with chronic and acute conditions links with hospital experience and helps students to retain a more rounded view of the patient journey.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the basic sciences and the key concepts of clinical sciences and apply them in their clinical learning: 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 diseases, their causes and prevention, mechanisms, clinical presentation and investigation and the appropriate use of the evidence base in proposing management / therapeutic approaches and managing uncertainty Demonstrate an understanding of psychological and sociological factors and the way in which they contribute to disease, determine patient decisions to consult, engagement with decision making, reaction to illness and compliance with / response to treatment. Demonstrate good interpersonal/communication skills when interviewing and negotiating with patients and their families, competence in undertaking a systematic physical and mental state examination and comprehensively and accurately recording both. Elicit a patient history and perform a physical examination in a manner and with a focus that is appropriate for the consultation and in which information provided by the interaction frames and directs further questions / examination. 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 relation to an agreed range of presentations/conditions and of the decision making processes (including involvement of the patient) whereby clinical management decisions are made. Demonstrate 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. Demonstrate progress / competence in prescribing safely and effectively commonly administered medications. Including an awareness of adverse effects and prescribing errors Practice as a clinical learner in a manner that demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the patient safety agenda: ensuring that all precautions are taken to minimise the risks inherent in the clinical environment. 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 learning environments including clinical environments in hospital and community. Demonstrate a developing knowledge of the roles fulfilled by other health care professionals and a commitment to working effectively as part of the multi-professional team. Demonstrate an understanding of the organisation of the NHS, the delivery of patient care in a wide range of settings, and an awareness of and commitment to the service improvement agenda. Demonstrate an understanding of the current limits of your professional competence and the importance of personal, physical and mental wellbeing and the impact on delivery of safe patient care.
Assessment	39384-01 : Clinical Core 2 Overall Module Mark : Exam (School Arranged) - Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1. Satisfactory completion of Work Based Assessments 2. Integrated Hospital and Community Based Medicine Clinical Examination (OSCE) (50%) 3. Two integrated applied knowledge test papers. (50%) Work based assessments must be satisfactorily completed Students must pass the applied knowledge test and OSCE with a calibrated pass mark of 50% in each assessment Reassessment: Students must pass the applied knowledge tests and OSCE with a calibrated pass mark of 50% Students will have a single opportunity to retake any of the applied knowledge tests or OSCE. Students will be required to undertake a reflective assignment if the work based assessments are not satisfactorily completed.
Other
Reading List