Preparation for Medical Practice
| Module title | Preparation for Medical Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | MDC5001 |
| Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Credits | 145 |
| Module staff | Professor Alison Curnow (Lecturer) Dr Rob Taylor (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 16 | 13 | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 218 |
|---|
Module description
In Preparation for Medical Practice, the focus of your work will continue to shift towards becoming an “apprentice” within the clinical environment. You will build upon the skills and knowledge that you have already developed that underpin modern person and patient centred clinical practice. You will continue to work across integrated teaching, learning and assessment themes: Medical Knowledge, Clinical Practice and the Student Selected Elective programme.
You will continue to develop your Medical Knowledge of the medical sciences (biomedical, psychological, sociological, population health) that underpin medical practice, building on the knowledge previously gained. Your Medical Knowledge will develop through your interactions with patients and with a wide range of NHS staff, and through taught sessions (e.g. during the Academic Day) that mirror the placements you will be placed in.
In the area of Clinical Practice, you will continue to acquire the core clinical skills and professional behaviours that underpin modern person and patient centred clinical practice. Developing the skills and attitudes required to address health inequalities and perform professional advocacy roles. You will be given feedback on your developing professionalism through working with assessors who are experienced professionals and who hold and maintain professional healthcare registration. You will also undertake clinical skills competencies including clinical assessments on patients. Your personal Educational Supervisor will provide a supportive environment in which you can learn from your placement experiences and explore what it means to be a medical professional as well as consider your personal career development.
Within your Elective placement, you will experience a wider perspective of medicine, as practiced both within the NHS in the UK or internationally around the globe.
Students may register for Preparation for Medical Practice following the successful completion of MDC4001 (Clinical Pathways 2).
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module focuses on three integrated areas of study that will allow you to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are expected of a medical student, and that underpin modern clinical and academic practice. The aims of the three areas of study are outlined, as follows.
Medical Knowledge
You will be taught how to demonstrate the integrated application of the medical sciences (biomedical, psychological, sociological and population health) that underpin medical practice.
Clinical Practice
You will further develop your understanding and application of appropriate professional behaviour and will develop the core and advanced skills in clinical history, examination and diagnostic techniques relevant to modern clinical practice with particular reference to the ‘core case presentations’ within the syllabus. On completion of this year you will be clinically capable, familiar with the management of core clinical conditions and competent to manage common emergency clinical situations. You will also be familiar with working in NHS environments across a range of specialties and settings.
Student Selected Elective
You will further develop the written & verbal communication, research and critical thinking skills that you have previously acquired within the SSU programme. You will identify important questions about medical practice and/or ethics and experience and study in-depth an area of interest to you that relates to modern clinical practice anywhere in the world.
Professionalism and Fitness to Practise:
In addition to these three integrated assessment themes you will be supported in the acquisition of professional and ethical behaviours and skills, with person-centred and patient-centred approaches relating to your development in reflective practice, team working, time-management, issues of consent, and giving and receiving feedback.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Apply to medical practice the biomedical scientific principles, method and knowledge, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 22 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 2. Apply psychological principles, method and knowledge to medical practice, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 23 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 3. Apply social science principles, method and knowledge to medical practice, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 24 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 4. Apply to medical practice the principles, method and knowledge of population health and the improvement of health and sustainable healthcare, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 25 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 5. Communicate effectively, openly and honestly with patients, advocates and colleagues, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 10 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 6. Carry out an effective consultation with a patient, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 11 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 7. Work collaboratively with patients and colleagues to diagnose and manage clinical presentations safely, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 12 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 8. Perform diagnostic, therapeutic and practical procedures safely and effectively, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 13 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 9. Work collaboratively with patients, advocates and colleagues to make clinical judgements and holistic decisions, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 14 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 10. Make appropriate clinical judgements for patients who are nearing or are at end of life, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 15 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 11. Provide immediate care in medical emergencies, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 16 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 12. Recognise when a patient is deteriorating and take appropriate action, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 17 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 13. Prescribe medications safely, appropriately, effectively and economically, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 18 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 14. Recognise and identify factors that suggest that a patient is vulnerable, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 7 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 15. Use information effectively and safely in a medical context, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 2, Point 19 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 16. Demonstrate how patient care is delivered in the health service, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 20 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 17. Recognise there are differences in healthcare systems across the four nations of the UK, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 21 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 18. Apply scientific method and approaches to medical research, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 3, Point 26 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 19. Behave in accordance with Good Medical Practice (General Medical Council) making care of patients their first concern, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 1 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 20. Behave according to ethical and professional principles, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 2 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 21. Demonstrate awareness of the importance of their personal physical and mental wellbeing, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 3 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 22. Demonstrate knowledge of the legal framework of medicine, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 4 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 23. Demonstrate that they can practise safely and improve care, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 5 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 24. Recognise complexity and uncertainty, learning to manage these situations as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 6 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 25. Recognise the role of doctors in contributing to the management and leadership of the health service, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 8 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
- 26. Learn and work effectively within a multi-professional team, as appropriate for this level of study (Outcome 1, Point 9 in Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018).
Syllabus plan
Preparation for Medical Practice comprises of five rotating clinical blocks, each lasting six weeks including a final Preparation for Practice week at the end of each block, plus a student selected and arranged six week elective period, an induction programme and two week Final Year WRAP. Each clinical pathway block is set in different clinical specialties and centres on managing common conditions, and working closely with the clinical team. It will involve clinical teaching, patient contact and expert feedback, with small group sizes.
This year of the curriculum is delivered in locations across the South West. You will rotate through a series of hospital and community placements in five clinical pathways which provide extensive experience of a wide range of clinical settings whilst becoming embedded in the clinical teams. These rotations emphasise the importance of continuing to acquire knowledge in the medical sciences, while also refining and building on the clinical and communication skills you have started to develop. Your learning during each rotation is supported by relevant resources, which develop your knowledge of common medical conditions by encouraging you to work through a series of clinical, therapeutics and professional scenarios and problems, to build up your knowledge, clinical reasoning and analytical skills, enabling you to practice in the working environment.
Your learning is centred on patients and will continue to develop your problem solving skills, while also maintaining your exposure to the widest possible array of clinical experiences. You will meet patients at home, in general practice, in acute and community hospitals and other community clinical settings, and interact with healthcare professionals in their working environment. You will experience first-hand how the NHS works as a team to deliver patient care.
In addition to your learning in clinical environments, one half day each week is devoted to small group learning, specialist and Clinical Skills Resource Centre sessions, which build on your previous learning and help to integrate your scientific and clinical knowledge. Teaching and learning will occur mainly in small groups and will help you understand the key concepts and knowledge that relate to each block within practical scenarios, further developing both your technical and non-technical skill sets with an increasing focus on clinical management.
The academic content of the module is aligned with the outcomes as specified within Outcomes for Graduates (General Medical Council) 2018:
Outcome 1: Professional Values and Behaviours
Professional and ethical responsibilities
Legal responsibilities
Patient safety and quality improvement
Dealing with complexity and uncertainty
Safeguarding vulnerable patients
Leadership and team working
Outcome 2: Professional Skills
Communication and interpersonal skills
Diagnosis and medical management
Prescribing medications safely
Using information effectively and safely
Outcome 3: Professional Knowledge
The health service and healthcare systems in the four countries
Applying biomedical scientific principles
Applying psychological principles
Applying social science principles
Health promotion and illness prevention
Clinical research and scholarship
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 218 | 300 | 932 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 85 | Guided online learning including video masterclasses (55 hours; including clinical chemistry, haematology, histopathology, microbiology, public health and governance topics), Prescribing Safely interactive sessions and activities (20 hours) and Radiology interactive sessions and activities (10 hours). |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 42 | Professional Development Group Sessions and portfolio |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 36 | Case Based Discussions (32 hours) and Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercises (4 hours) undertaken with senior Clinicians/GPs |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 28 | Clinical Skills Resource Centre sessions (20 hours, Immediate Life Support (7 hours) and clinical competencies (1 hour) |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 27 | Induction week (15 hours), Development (6 hours) and WRAP (6 hours) sessions |
| Placement | 710 | Clinical Placements in acute (568 hours) and community based (142 hours) settings |
| Placement | 222 | Elective placement and electronic record |
| Guided Independent Study | 170 | Self-directed preparation and study for teaching sessions and assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | 130 | Self-directed, including experiential, learning opportunities within acute and community based placements |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formative Assessment of e-portfolio (including the Clinical Log) | 1 x electronic record of the elective experience | 1-5, 15-20. 22-26 | Verbal feedback |
| 360? Professional Review | 5 x half way through pathway block compulsory 360? Professional Reviews from a variety of assessors based on observations of professional behaviours in scheduled teaching sessions. | All | Written feedback |
| Professionalism Judgements (PJ) | ~28; 5 x end of pathway block compulsory judgements from a variety of assessors based on observations of professional behaviours in scheduled teaching sessions. 8 x compulsory judgements as part of the Mini-CEX assessments. 8 x CBD global judgements. 2 x Professional Development Group judgements plus 2 portfolio judgements. In addition, 3 Locality Professionalism Judgements will be given considering attendance (as detailed in the Attendance Policy) and any additional 'On the Spot' feedback forms received. These judgements may trigger a Fitness to Practise enquiry and therefore may have significant implications on student progression. | All | Written feedback, available online |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 16.67 | 33.33 | 50.00 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Knowledge Assessments | 33.33 | 2 x multiple choice question single best answer assessments | 1-4, 9-17, 22 | Grades presented online showing performance within individual disciplines and offering comparison with overall cohort scoring |
| Clinical Competency Assessments (during sessions in the Clinical Skills Resource Centre) | 50.00 | 4 x Clinical Competency Assessments, time as appropriate to the competency being demonstrated | 1-17, 19-20, 22-26 | Written results |
| Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini CEX), Case Based Discussions (CBD) and Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) (undertaken within the clinical environment) | 0 | 8 x Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercises (~30 minutes each), 8 x Case Based Discussions (~ 2 hours each) plus 24 x Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (time as appropriate to the competency being demonstrated) | 1-17, 19-20, 22-26 | Verbal feedback followed by written results |
| Elective | 16.67 | Elective preparation plus Elective Supervisor report | 1-5, 15-20, 22-26 | Pass/fail decision, score and written feedback available online |
| Fitness to Practise | 0.00 | The Fitness to Practise Panel in accordance with University of Exeter Policy and Procedures for Fitness to Practise will consider/determine the Fitness to Practise of each student as follows: Fit to Practise Fitness to Practise in Question & Subject to Review Not Fit to Practise Any student deemed Not Fit to Practise medicine in accordance with University of Exeter Policy and Procedures for Fitness to Practise will not be able to progress on the medical degree programme. | All | Written and verbal feedback in accordance with University of Exeter Policy and Procedures for Fitness to Practise |
| Immediate Life Support | 0.00 | Nationally recognised examination that needs to be undertaken within this year but a students outcome does not affect the Universitys assessment of their progression on the medical degree programme. | ||
| Prescribing Safely Assessment | 0 | Nationally set and assessed examination that needs to be undertaken within this year but a students outcome does not affect the Universitys assessment of their progression on the medical degree programme. | ||
| Situational Judgement Test | 0 | Nationally set and assessed examination that needs to be undertaken within this year but a students outcome does not affect the Universitys assessment of their progression on the medical degree programme. |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| For deferred students, see notes, below | |||
| For referred students, all original assessments | As for original assessment | As for original assessment | During the referral year (the following academic year) |
Re-assessment notes
Students, please note that your medical degree is a pass/fail award, and the traditional classification system does not apply. The percentages referred to in the summative assessment table (above) should be used as a guide to indicate the amount of work required for each type of assessment. You must pass each 'form of assessment' (column 1 in the summative assessment table, above) and be deemed “Fit to Practise” by the Fitness to Practise Panel in order to pass this module and therefore successfully graduate the programme.
Medical Knowledge assessments within Preparation for Medical Practice are pass/fail based on a pass mark. If required four Medical Knowledge assessments can be undertaken during this year to successfully demonstrate the standard required.
Students will normally be expected to demonstrate each clinical competency to a satisfactory level within two attempts. All clinical competencies, Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini CEX), Case Based Discussion (CBD) and Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) need to be satisfactorily demonstrated and completed at least one week in advance of the Assessment Theme Panel. Judgements of your professionalism will be made by a range of teachers, tutors and placement supervisors, in order to obtain a range of perspectives and feedback. The combination of these may trigger a Fitness to Practise enquiry and therefore may have significant implications on student progression. Electives are also assessed by both University-employed staff and external medical or allied to medicine professionals.
All students who receive a less than satisfactory grade in any summative assessment will be automatically offered remediation and support by an appropriate member of staff within 15 academic days of the mark release date.
For some individual elements of the assessments listed in the table above (i.e. clinical competencies), students are provided with multiple opportunities to demonstrate competence or remediate to a satisfactory level. Further information can be found on the UEMS intranet. Attempts at the elements of assessments are not counted as ‘referrals’ (second attempts following failure), but are instead opportunities to demonstrate competence and engage with remediation. The passing standard for each assessment theme (Medical Knowledge, Clinical Practice and the Student Selected Elective) is usually determined by the aggregated scores of the individual elements that contribute to that assessment.
For deferred students who have had their extenuating circumstances validated, UEMS will endeavour, where possible given timetables and circumstances, to ensure those students are able to submit individual elements of an assessment within the academic year, in order that the student has a complete assessment profile. Where it is not possible for a deferred student with valid extenuating circumstances to have a complete assessment profile, an adjusted profile may be submitted to the Assessment Theme Panel where it will be decided if the student has attained an aggregated pass mark for the overarching assessment theme (Medical Knowledge, Clinical Practice and the Student Selected Elective) and whether successful graduation from the programme can be recommended to Assessment, Progression and Awarding Committee.
Students who fail to reach an aggregated pass for any overarching theme (Medical Knowledge, Clinical Practice or the Student Selected Elective), will fail the module overall and are therefore dealt with as referred students, and are given the opportunity to be re-assessed for this module in the following academic year. Referred students must repeat all teaching and assessment in the following academic year, and must gain a pass through their aggregated scores for all overarching assessments (Medical Knowledge, Clinical Practice and the Student Selected Elective) to pass the module in their referred year.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading available at http://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/res/UEMS-BMBS-homepage/
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web based and electronic resources available at http://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/res/UEMS-BMBS-homepage/
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Other resources available at http://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/res/UEMS-BMBS-homepage/
| Credit value | 145 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 72.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | MDC4001 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 30/11/2012 |
| Last revision date | 14/12/2021 |
