Module information
Module details
- Title
- Specialist Investigations in Gastrointestinal Physiology
- Type
- Specialist
- Module code
- S-GI-S5
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 3
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module will give trainees the opportunity to gain highly specialised knowledge and experience of specialist investigations in Gastrointestinal Physiology. Trainees will have opportunities to practice compassionate patient care across the life span and participate in use of specialised equipment in the investigation of gastrointestinal tract disorders. They will also build and develop their professional practice by working with other multidisciplinary colleagues.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,6 |
Training activities
Review a referral request for two of the following and determine investigation suitability for the patient:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Review a patient history for patients referred for two of the following investigations and make recommendations for further investigations:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,4,5 |
Training activities
Review acquired data for two of the following investigation techniques identifying relevant anatomical features
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,4,6 |
Training activities
Review, analyse and prepare a draft report for a patient undergoing one of the following investigations, and present to multidisciplinary team colleagues:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,2,5,7 |
Training activities
Obtain (valid consent under supervision, for a paediatric patient (0 to 16 years) referred for two of the following gastrointestinal physiology investigations:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,2,6,7 |
Training activities
Review and triage under supervision, paediatric patient referrals (0 to 16 years), and determine suitability for two of the following gastrointestinal physiology investigations: Anorectal physiology
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,4,6,7 |
Training activities
Review and present the results of one of the following gastrointestinal physiology investigations for a paediatric patient case, making recommendations for treatment to other colleagues:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,5,6,7 |
Training activities
Obtain a paediatric patient history under supervision, for two of the following gastrointestinal physiology investigations:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 6,7 |
Training activities
Perform, analyse and report under supervision, two of the following gastrointestinal physiology investigations for paediatric patients:
|
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 8 |
Training activities
Develop and draft a business case for a specialist investigation or expansion of service (adult or paediatric) for a specialist study modality and present to colleagues |
Type DTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 2 Case-Based Discussions
Complete 2 DOPS or OCEs
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Use IT systems to produce a report.
- Label traces/images with the appropriate physiological/anatomical landmarks.
- Prepare an adult patient for a specialist procedure.
- Prepare a paediatric patient for a specialist procedure.
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Obtain consent for a specialist procedure.
- Obtain a thorough patient history.
- Explain procedure to patients and provide reassurance during the procedure.
- Discuss a patient’s results with a multidisciplinary team colleague.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Apply the requirements for performing specialist gastrointestinal physiology investigations in a range of patients including paediatrics. |
| 2 | Perform a range of the specialist gastrointestinal physiology investigations, including safe intubation of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract in a variety of adult and paediatric patient conditions. |
| 3 | Employ compassionate communication with patients to obtain informed consent ensuring patient comprehension. |
| 4 | Produce written technical draft reports from a range of specialist gastrointestinal physiology investigations. |
| 5 | Perform routine maintenance and calibration of equipment, identifying and managing faults, out of specification results and artefacts which may result in an inaccurate study being performed. |
| 6 | Identify the range of disorders diagnosed by advanced gastrointestinal investigations, the implications for the patient, impact their quality of life, potential treatments and the differential diagnosis. |
| 7 | Plan and perform gastrointestinal investigations in paediatrics, adapting practice to consider the practicalities and emotional aspects including age of the child, parental input, guardianship and external factors such as social services. |
| 8 | Evaluate practice and make recommendations for service improvements including risks and benefits, financial implications and quality issues. |
Clinical experiences
Clinical experiences help you to develop insight into your practice and a greater understanding of your specialty's impact on patient care. Clinical experiences should be included in your training plan and you may be asked to help organise your experiences. Reflections and observations from your experiences may help you to advance your practice and can be used to develop evidence to demonstrate your awareness and appreciation of your specialty.
Activities
- Visit a department that undertakes any of the specialist investigations, including paediatrics to observe other healthcare professional’s practice.
- Shadow a range of healthcare professionals involved in specialist investigations.
- Attend a community-based team e.g., bladder and bowel team, health visiting teams, community paediatricians and observe their role in patient pathway.
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:
- Differentiate between gastrointestinal system conditions and critically appraise range of specialist investigations available.
- Critically appraise the indications, contra-indications and risks associated with advanced gastrointestinal procedures and recognise specific health and safety requirements.
- Evaluate, analyse and interpret the results of specialist gastrointestinal system investigations.
- Critically evaluate the need to convey complex scientific information relating to specialist gastrointestinal system investigations to inform multidisciplinary teams of the diagnostic results, conclusions and consequences.
- Critically evaluate specific issues related to paediatric specialist gastrointestinal system physiology investigations.
Indicative content
Specialist Investigations – applicable to adults and paediatrics
Anatomy and Physiology: Structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract including:
- Action of sphincters
- Peristalsis
- Segmenting and mixing waves
- Voluntary and involuntary movement and striated muscle within the gastrointestinal tract
Neurophysiology:
- Parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves
- Intrinsic nerve plexuses
- Concept of neurotransmitters and hormones in relation to gastrointestinal tract
Pathology:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Delayed GE
- Small bowel dysmotility
- Pancreatitis
- Autonomic neuropathy
- Collagen disorders
Investigations:
- Capsule studies
- Antroduodenal manometry
- Sphincter of Oddi manometry
- Barostat
- Endoflip
- Liver eleastography/fibroscan
Pharmacology:
- Opiates
- Prokinetics
Intubation technique and complications:
- Environmental requirements and considerations
- Equipment required
- Intubation procedures and techniques
- Measurements and checks taken at implantation and their significance
- Normal acceptable values for measurements
- Documentation requirements
- Cessation of medication
- Early and late complications and their significance
Follow-up:
- Equipment and personnel
- Clinic design
- Databases and patient records
- Patient support material
- Emergency equipment
- Trouble-shooting
Additional considerations in paediatrics
Paediatric considerations:
- Indications
- Intubation and complications
- Underpinning knowledge of clinical presentation/symptomology in a number of inherited diseases such as cholestasis, Gilbert syndrome, Hirschsprung disease, Wilson disease and intestinal failure
- Associated regulations
- Ethical considerations and the role of the media (high profile cases)
- Role of parents/guardians/social services/varied HCP’s (e.g., play therapists)
Module assigned to
Specialties
| Specialty code | Specialty title | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty code SPS3-1-22 | Specialty title Gastrointestinal Physiology [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPS3-1-23 | Specialty title Gastrointestinal Physiology [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPS3-1-24 | Specialty title Gastrointestinal Physiology [2024] | Action View |