AC6711 - Children and Young People's History Taking and Physical Assessment

What will I learn on this module?

The overall aim of the module aims to develop knowledge and skills for undertaking a comprehensive health history and physical assessment in Children and Young people. It is aimed at those practitioners who undertake these skills as part of their role and are able to perform in practice. In order to ensure safe patient care, students will be engaged in practical skills and knowledge development which includes patient-practitioner communication, health history elicitation, and clinical examination of physical systems, symptom recognition, and patient management. The module uses a structured approach to systematically assess and manage deteriorating children and young people. You will apply this structure to understand how children of all ages deteriorate and apply health promotion and safety netting to those children who do not need any form of treatment. You will learn the anatomical and physiological response to illness in classroom sessions, prior to applying this knowledge in simulated sessions utilising High Fidelity Simulation with Sim Baby/junior.

How will I learn on this module?

The module will be delivered through a combination of guided study, structured lecturers and practical workshops. Problem solving exercises will allow students to contextualise their learning to their specific clinical practice. Simulation will be used formatively to further develop assessments and communication skills allowing students to critically explore common conditions and emergency care. To ensure that the assessment strategy addresses both the theoretical and practical elements of the unit, the students will be assessed through multi-choice questions and short answer, problem-solving exercise as well as an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Technology enhanced learning will facilitate your learning and enable flexibility and independence as you progress through the module; Blackboard Ultra will enable you to access general module information, review all taught content remotely and will host independent, interactive e-learning which will underpin taught sessions. You will have access to Panopto video recordings to enhance your understanding of the module and assessment requirements.

You benefit from feed-forward feedback, where your assessment becomes part of your learning and enables you to understand what you do well and what academic skills you need to develop during your foundation year.

You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and access to the full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University which includes library and learning support outlined fully in the module handbook.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module team consists of experienced designated academics and associate lecturers, the module team will offer further support required and can be contacted via telephone, email, or in person – contact details are available via the elp, Blackboard Ultra on the programme and module sites.
Electronic media will support your learning, including opportunity for group learning. You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and specific support from the programme team with any specific IT issues related to the e-lecture packages. You will have access to the full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University, which includes library and learning support. In addition, you can access study skills support via Ask4Help and/or your student portal, details of which will be available on the module site via Blackboard Ultra. You will also have access to the NU connect app to enable you to view timetables and maps. Timetables will be available online; you will be supported by the module leader with general academic advice to help you achieve your full academic potential.
Additional needs can be discussed with the module tutor as they arise. If you have an existing disability which affects your study performance, or believe you may have a disability that impacts on your ability to learn, you may be eligible to access help from the university student support team. The student support team will liaise with module tutor to ensure you are offered appropriate support to help you get the most from your studies.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Apply knowledge of child specific health conditions and developmental pathophysiology in relation to children and young people.

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

2. Demonstrate ability to rationalise clinical decisions in recognition and assessment of the ill child and young person in children’s services.
3. Provide safe and effective care to children/YP including BLS and ALS.
4. Critically evaluate of national/local and professional guidelines and practice accordingly.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the value base required for effective delivery of care; including themes such as safety, personal dignity, compassion, person centred care, evidence based practice, promotion of individuality, independence, rights and choice.

How will I be assessed?

Part 1. An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which will assess the student ability to take a concise history and complete a targeted physical assessment, and summaries their findings. This component of the assessment will be a Pass or Fail, which all students must pass to successfully complete the module. MLO 1, 3, and 5.

Part 2.Short answer, problem-solving exercise. The aim of the assessment is twofold; firstly, to assess the student’s enhanced understanding of the manifestations, both physical and clinical, of the altered physiology relating to common disease processes, and secondly, to determine the student’s rationale for their proposed action. MLO 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Pre-requisite(s)

The student must be in a role where health history and physical assessment is a requirement. This will enhance learning by ensuring a strong theory-practice link. It is strongly recommended that students identify clinical support mechanism for the duration of the module to aid learning.
“ To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The module aims to develop knowledge and skills for undertaking a comprehensive health history and physical assessment in Children and Young people. It is aimed at those practitioners who undertake these skills as part of their role and able to perform in practice. In order to ensure safe patient care, students will be engaged in practical skills and knowledge development which includes patient-practitioner communication, health history elicitation, and clinical examination of physical systems, symptom recognition, and patient management. The module will be delivered through a combination of guided study, structured lecturers and practical workshops. Problem solving exercises will allow students to contextualise their learning to their specific clinical practice. To ensure that the assessment strategy addresses both the theoretical and practical elements of the unit, the students will be assessed through multi-choice questions and short answer questions examination, as well as an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Part Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025 or January 2026

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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