Module information
Module details
- Title
- Introduction to Physiological Measurement
- Type
- Rotation
- Module code
- S-CE-R2
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 1
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of component elements which are common to many of the physiological measurement specialisms. This module will provide trainees with knowledge and appreciation of the measurement and interpretation of neurophysiological signals, measurement and interpretation of the mechanical characteristics of physiological systems, for example pressure and flow, and how imaging data is used to inform physiological assessment.
Trainees should gain experience of at least three of the physiological measurement specialisms and are encouraged to seek opportunities to broaden their experience. Example specialisms include: Neurophysiology, Respiratory Science, Sleep Science, Audiology, Urology, Vision science, Vascular, Cardiology, and GI physiology.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow a patient journey through the assessment pathway for three different physiological measurement specialties, and reflect on the journeys |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe the measurement of an electrophysiological signal, and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe the physiological measurement of pressure and flow, and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a physiological sciences multidisciplinary team meeting where imaging data is being interpreted and discussed to inform a patient’s long term management plan, and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a healthcare professional taking physiological measurements in an acute environment, and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a healthcare professional taking physiological measurements in a ward environment, and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore the evidence base for a diagnostic plan for a patient in a physiological specialty, and reflect the impact this has on practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review the effect of quality measures in a physiological science service, and reflect on how this guide practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore an innovation in an area of physiological measurement, and reflect on this impact this will have on practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 5,6 |
Training activities
Review the effect of a professional body or regulatory standard, and reflect on how it guides practice within a physiological science |
Type OTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion
Complete 1 DOPS or OCE
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Apply an appropriate infection control procedure.
- Perform a simple device calibration.
Observed Clinical Event Titles
- Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or another member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to another member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Present the learning gained from the rotation to your training centre.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the contribution of physiological measurement specialties to patient care. |
| 2 | Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team in physiological measurement specialties. |
| 3 | Describe the working practices of physiological measurement specialties. |
| 4 | Examine the impact of innovation in physiological measurement specialties. |
| 5 | Review the effect of legislation in physiological measurement specialties. |
| 6 | Compare and contrast the practice of physiological measurement specialties with other specialties. |
Clinical experiences
Activities
There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Describe the strengths and weakness of a selection of clinical measurements that take place in the healthcare sector, including test validity, common errors and their correction.
- Examine how the work of clinical measurement units influence the patient pathway.
- Analyse and interpret data from case studies in selected clinical measurement disciplines applying an opinion-evidence-observation approach.
Indicative content
- Measurement artefacts:
- Measurement noise and its minimisation.
- Statistics of clinical measurement:
- Estimates of precision and accuracy in a variety of clinical measurements.
- Clinical reasoning in physiological measurement:
- Differential diagnosis.
- Separation of opinion, evidence and observation.
- The multidisciplinary team in physiological sciences.
- From pathophysiology and impairment to measurement:
- Physical origins of different physiological measurements.
- Explanatory and predictive validity of clinical measurements.
- Characteristics of medical devices used for measurement:
- Instrumentation amplifiers.
- Filtering.
- Evoked potentials.
- Imaging in physiological measurement:
- Principles of imaging modalities used in physiological measurements.
- Interpretation of clinical imaging.
- Common clinical indications of physiological measurement and clinical imaging.
- Case studies in neurophysiology, gastrointestinal physiology, urodynamics, audiology and sleep studies.