Module overview
This module focuses on the general surgical and elective orthopaedic basic knowledge and understanding, practitioner and professional skills required of a newly qualified doctor and the assessments within this module will focus on these areas.
The BM programmes are however highly contextualised and integrated programmes in which the application of knowledge and understanding, clinical skills and professional practice applicable to medicine are learned through a range of modules none of which are stand- alone modules, therefore this module should be recognised by students and teachers alike as part of the whole year and programme. The surgery and orthopaedics module in BM Year three is studied along with 2 other clinical teaching modules in Primary Care and Long Term Conditions and General Medicine and Elderly Care and 2 Assessment Modules, the (Applied Knowledge Assessment and CPSA).
The emphasis of the assessments for each of the modules aligns with the focus of learning for that module, however the integrated nature of the course means that there will undoubtedly be overlap and aspects of the assessment in each module will draw upon learning from modules studied in earlier years as well as modules studied in that year. In addition, the BM Year three assessment modules have been purposely designed to assess learning outcomes covered in any of modules within the programme.
This module will normally take the format of a placement in one or more partner trusts. The timing will vary for different student groups and the teaching staff will vary for different practices and student groups. As is the nature of clinical placements, the exact learning experiences of each student will be variable however all students will receive the same broad opportunities sufficient to achieve the learning outcomes of the module and it is expected that students will take responsibility for making the most of the opportunities provided and being pro-active in securing experiences in areas in which they feel they are weak and/or they have had fewest learning experiences.
The module will give student exposure to a broad range of surgical patients and their treatment pathway. The students will be attached to a named consultant-trainer. Their learning opportunities will be on the wards, in theatres and endoscopy, and in the outpatient environment.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Interact with patients and colleagues whose cultural backgrounds, beliefs and values may differ from your own in a sensitive and non-judgemental manner
- Examine normal and abnormal systems with particular reference to surgical disease (musculoskeletal, breast, neck, groin, vascular system, abdomen)
- Describe how you would relate clinical disorders to patients and family
- Assess and recognise the severity of a clinical presentation and a need to immediate emergency care
- Take responsibility for your own learning and your continuing professional development and develop an enquiring basis to learning
- Demonstrate awareness of professional responsibility both to patients and to members of the multiprofessional team and to student colleagues and reflect on how poor performance or poor professional behaviour should be addressed
- Show an understanding of the duties of confidentiality in your contact with colleagues and patients
- Understand the use and justification for clinical investigations and their impact on the patient and health services
- Take a history of the presenting complaint, relevant past surgical history, associated disease particularly those relevant to anaesthesia, and the medication and social history, particularly family and home circumstances which may influence postoperative management
- Recognise symptoms and signs of common diseases seen in surgery and orthopaedics
- Demonstrate competency performing stipulated clinical skills as per the student portfolio requirements
- Demonstrate an appreciation of basic safety principles - for patients and staff - in the operating theatre and in the post-operative setting; to include understanding of infection control and antibiotic resistance
- Understand the use of time as a diagnostic tool
- Establish a relationship with a patient, explore and acknowledge their concerns
- Show awareness of a wide variety of ways in which you learn in the workplace, often not defined by the curriculum, and which includes role models
- Communicate effectively in the following ways: a. Communicate effectively with the patients and be able to explain to the patient the results of your clinical examination b. Written clinical record suitable for inclusion in case notes c. Formal oral case presentations to your colleagues and senior medical staff
- Develop insight into your learning needs in the professional workplace and recognise the need for support and guidance in managing challenging situations; and reflect on your own learning style and how it may need to be adapted to the clinical environment
- Develop good relationships with all members of the surgical team (medical and non-medical)
- Describe and justify the selection of appropriate investigations for surgical and orthopaedic cases, and be able to discuss the principles underlying these investigations
- Demonstrate understanding of basic sciences and pathology underlying common disorders relating to surgical and orthopaedic patients
- Make a preliminary assessment of a patient’s likely surgical or orthopaedic problem, and have an understanding of the processes by which doctors make and test a differential diagnosis
- Demonstrate understanding of the roles of different team members within the inter-professional setting
- Understand the patient pathway in a surgical and operating theatre setting
Syllabus
The module comprises 7 weeks in total. Students are attached to one or more named consultant surgeons and their extended teams, and will gain exposure to general and specialist (orthopaedics/breast and endocrine/urological/vascular) surgery. Experience in the clinical team includes emergency work.
There will be opportunities to consolidate clinical skills teaching which will include tuition in practical procedures, examination techniques, perioperative care, critical illness assessment, and radiology tutorials.
Clinical skills taught
- Venesection and cannulation
- Breast examination
- Suturing
- Male intimate examinations
- Male catheterisation
- Urinalysis pregnancy testing
- Gloving and Gowning in preparation for theatre
- Blood sugar monitoring
- Aseptic non -touch technique and wound , nose and throat swabbing
Details of these attachments and a course handbook will be available during the introductory week. Specific diseases covered in the module will include:
Common upper gastrointestinal diseases
- Gallstones and pancreatitis
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Pancreatobiliary malignancy
- Oesophagogastric malignancy
Common lower gastrointestinal diseases :
- Diverticular disease
- Colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Perianal conditions
Common urological conditions
- Renal tract stones
- Incontinence and benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Urological emergencies
Common vascular surgical conditions
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Carotid arterial disease
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Venous disease
General surgical conditions
- Herniae
- Skin lumps
- The acute abdomen
Common orthopaedic conditions
- Osteoarthritis and elective joint replacement
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module will be taught through a range of learning and teaching strategies which will include:
- Lectures
- Guided self-study
- Group work
- Patient based learning
- eLearning
- Learning Logbooks
- Reflection
Within this module there may be some activities that will take place in the evenings, nights or weekends, students are encouraged to make the most of these opportunities.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Placement | 224 |
| Independent Study | 151 |
| Total study time | 375 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Siewert, Jörg-Rüdiger (2006). Chirurgie.
Ellis H, Calne R, Watson C. (2006). Lecture notes on General Surgery.. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
Apley, A G and Solomon, L Concise (2005). System of Orthopaedics and Fractures. Oxford: Butterworth- Heinemann.
(2007). Oxford Handbook of Clinical Surgery. Chirurgie.
McRae, R (2004). Clinical orthopaedic examination. Churchill Livingstone.
Garden OJ, Bradbury AW, Forsythe JLR, Parks RW. (2007). Principles and Practice of Surgery. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Niethard, FU, Pfeil, J; Biberthaler, P. (2009). Duale Reihe Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie.
Browse LN, Black J,Burnand KG, Thomas WEG (2005). Browse's Introduction to the Symptoms & Signs of Surgical Disease. London: Hodder Education.
Duckworth, T (1995). Lecture notes on orthopaedics and fractures. Oxford: Blackwell Science.
Cuschieri A, Steele RJC, Moossa AR. (2001). Essential surgical practice: basic surgical training. London: Arnold.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Students will be assessed on:
- Professional behaviour
- Evaluation of clinical and overall performance relative to learning outcomes
- Satisfactory log book recording the breadth of their activity and experience during the course to include surgical and orthopaedic experience.
- Portfolio including cases presented to senior medical / nursing staff with reflection
- Written description of case observed through the surgical patient journey from the ward into the operating theatre with specific reflection on issues of patient safety and risk reduction
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| End of module sign off form | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Supplementary activity | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal