CH4S20 - Clinical Diagnosis and Management 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CH4S20
Module Title: Clinical Diagnosis and Management
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Chiropractic
Module Leader: Monika Dobrowolska
Module Team: Kevin Cox, Annie Newsam, Hayley Davies, Paul McCambridge
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100241 - chiropractic
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To provide the students with the advanced knowledge and experience required to be able to assess, critically evaluate and reflect upon the reliability of complex and unpredictable quantifiable (objective) and non-quantifiable (subjective) clinical data from the case history, physical and laboratory examination. Together with the ability to apply and professionally communicate the importance of this information in the context of clinical and ethical problems and professional practice. 

To provide the student with a variety of clinical and ethical scenarios organised to assist and challenge the student in developing further comprehensive knowledge, skills and proficiency in the critical evaluation of and reflection upon the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of clinical cases in the general, chiropractic and special populations (obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, dermatology and geriatrics). 

Both aims will also include the knowledge of, and independent critical evaluation and reflection upon special tests, medications (prescribed, non-prescribed, non-pharmacological supplements, and clinical biochemistry) in general and in relation to their specific influence on the patient's health status in the context of chiropractic practice  

Content Summary

Students will continue to apply principles learned in previous years to advanced clinical cases in Chiropractic. This will include independent investigation, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, critical evaluation and chiropractic management of a range of musculoskeletal conditions and their influence on the patient's health status. 

Review of principles, problems and procedures in differential diagnosis within a chiropractic context supplemented by specific case studies/series and other research studies of the general, chiropractic and special populations (obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, dermatology and geriatrics) (A8 of GCC Education Standards), and related ethical reflection and communication in the professional practice context. 

Relevant clinically cases will be critically discussed, along with their implications on patient health status and management (C9 & C10 GCC Education Standards). Cases will include details of clinical investigations, including biochemical tests, their uses and interpretation (A9 of GCC Educational standards). 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Independent Study 58
Directed Study 80
Formative assessment - independent 6
Active/simulation based 8
Groupwork 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply the concept of diagnostic triage with respect to formulating a differential diagnosis of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, whilst taking into consideration the patient’s current/past medical history pharmacology and biochemistry
LO2 Critically employ clinical reasoning and decision making in general diagnosis to further identify and differentiate common signs and symptoms related to clinical practice including conditions elated to special populations (obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics, dermatology and geriatrics)
LO3 Interpret and explore medical and chiropractic management in relation to contemporary clinical practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 This module encompasses learning materials to meet all student needs including: video recordings, well presented PowerPoint lectures and links to other resources These are all uploaded in accessible format on BlackBoard several weeks before the lectures are presented to give students remote access both on and off university campus. Lectures are student centred and are built around classroom debate and are a mixture of flipped classroom and group work. 20 N/A 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Clinical Practice Essay on Clinical Diagnosis & Management 150 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

1 Beirman, R (2012) Cases in differential diagnosis for the physical and manipulative therapies  

2 Weller, R (2015), Clinical Dermatology, 5th Edition  

3 Visser, J (2017) Pediatric Orthopaedic Symptoms, Differential Diagnosis, Supplementary Assessment and treatment  

4 Souza, T. A. (2016). Differential Diagnosis for the Chiropractor. USA: Aspen Publishers, 5th Ed  

5 Sudesh, P (2016) Differential Diagnosis in Neurology, 1st Ed 

6 Ritter, J (2024), Rang & Dales’ Pharmacology, 10th Ed  

7 Higgins, C (2007) Understanding Laboratory Investigation for nurses and health professionals, 2nd Ed