Principles of Physiological Measurement

Details

Title

Principles of Physiological Measurement

Type

Stage One

Module code

HPS310

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

The development of new or improved physiological diagnostic measurements/services is an important role for clinical scientists working in Gastrointestinal Physiology and Urodynamics. During this module Clinical Scientists in HSST will identify the potential for, and develop new or improved instruments and/or clinical services to enhance existing services or address specific interdisciplinary research questions working with patients and a range of colleagues including clinical engineers and/or equipment suppliers. By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to critically analyse and synthesise their understanding of a broad range of clinical measurements out with the specialisms effectively applying their knowledge to a range of technical procedures and clinical skills and demonstrating the ability to evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations using the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist. This module enables Clinical Scientists in HSST to gain a broader perspective on the investigation and management of patients referred to their service.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to critically analyse, synthesise and apply their knowledge with respect to a range of clinical measurements utilised within a gastrointestinal physiology and urodynamics service including:

• the role and effects of electricity in the body.
• key physiological measurements: ECG; EEG; EMG; flow; sound; SpO2; etc.
• common measurement artefacts, their causes and solutions.
• the rationale, indications and risk factors for each physiological measurement technique.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current research and its application to the performance and mastery of the following technical skills and will:

• observe and assist during a range of clinical measurement procedures effectively and safely with due regard to the patient, health and safety, data security and governance.
• prepare instrumentation for the range of physiological measurement techniques.
• perform physiological measurements as an adjunct to normal clinical practice including:
  • temperature
  • blood pressure
  • ECG
  • O2 monitoring
  • pelvic floor EMG
  • blood glucose
• reflect on the challenges of applying research to practice in relation to these procedures and suggest improvements, building on a critique of available evidence.

Clinical Scientists in HSST will be expected to reflect on the challenges of applying research to practice in relation to these procedures and suggest improvements, building on a critique of available evidence.

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance of clinical skills, applying rigorous scientific critiques to the evaluation of data related to clinical practice in the support of clinical decision making and patient management and critically reflect on their performance and be able to:

• discuss, explain and if necessary justify the proposed investigation with the patient.
• gain written informed consent.
• analyse, interpret and report the results.
• explain the results to the patient answering questions as necessary.
• identify, in partnership with the clinical team, areas of current practice that could be improved and design and evaluate a suitable intervention based on a critical review of evidence to improve practice.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations consistently demonstrating the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist within the limits of professional competence referring as appropriate to senior staff and:

• establish and influence the culture of health and safety in the workplace.
• provide clinical leadership in developing new services.
• develop inter-disciplinary skills.