Course Details in 2026/27 Session


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Module Title Anaesthesia in Clinical Practice
SchoolSchool of Medical Sciences
Department Birmingham Medical School
Module Code 01 22131
Module Lead Professor T Clutton-Brock
Level Masters Level
Credits 30
Semester
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites Introduction to Clinical Practice in Anaesthesia - (01 22128)
Applied Science of Anaesthesia - (01 22129)
Anaesthesia and Body Systems - (01 22130)
Restrictions PGDip and MSc in Physician Assistant (Anaesthesia) Studies
Exclusions
Description The module focuses on the application of knowledge and skills within complex and individuated situations relying on in depth understanding, synthesis and application and the important place of judgement in situations of uncertainty.

With regard to the pre-operative period, it covers the process of eliciting a patient history and undertaking a physical examination; the explanation of procedures and the law on obtaining consent and includes advanced communication skills. Students will learn about the importance of including co-existing conditions and familial conditions in history taking and the how these are taken into account in managing anaesthesia.

With regard to practice in the operating department, students learn about the management of common emergencies, including anaphylaxis, blood loss, laryngospasm, regurgitation, inability to intubate / ventilate, as well as about longer term management in high dependency / intensive care units.

The module also brings into focus the broader context of professional working in the NHS. It covers the principles and practice of evidence-based medicine and the process of clinical audit, the role of professional bodies and the structure and organisation of the NHS. It also looks at coping with difficult patients and difficult colleagues and at complaints procedures and covers advanced communication skills and the skills required for teaching others.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module the student should be able to:
  • Demonstrate the adaptation of high level interpersonal skills to complex / critical situations including communicating with patients with impaired ability, exhibiting challenging behaviour etc;
  • Demonstrate competence and flexibility in the assessment of patients through history taking and physical examination and utilise the data collected in planning the management of care;
  • Demonstrate the capacity to plan patient management and to adapt standard procedures in the face of sub-optimal patient conditions and unexpected obstacles;
  • Demonstrate competence in managing patient care in critical situations, through awareness of physiological trespass and analysis of physiological change;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of legal and ethical issues that enable application to issues such as informed consent, the management of controlled drugs and death in theatre;
  • Demonstrate a developed professionalism which will enable the identification and report of critical incidents, including those in which the action of team members is called into question;
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of audit, the capacity to critically analyse audit data and the ability to present the process and its outcome to colleagues and peers.
Assessment 22131-01 : 24 month OSCE : Coursework (100%)
22131-04 : Yr 2 Forms completion : (MDS) Assessment of Professionalism (00%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment:

MCQ Examination 25%; OSCE 50%; Portolio Case 25%; Record of in-training experience and supervisor assessment.

Reassessment:

Single resit for MCQ and OSCE. Ability to carry Block Progression Sign off to next Block only
Other None
Reading List