This module will enable students to develop advanced clinical skills in the context of clinical management of minor illness and injury in the primary care or urgent care settings.

Module Summary

This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the clinical assessment, diagnosis, and management of minor injuries and illness across the lifespan.

It will enable students to develop advanced clinical assessment skills in the context of primary care or urgent care settings. The module will emphasise evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and decision-making, to enhance students' ability to provide safe and effective care.

Content

This 20-week course will utilise in-person lectures and some pre-recorded sessions over 10 teaching weeks, featuring workshops and discussion forums to put theory into practice.  A further 10 weeks is allocated for the student to build a portfolio in practice to provide evidence of competence.  

The following topics will be covered:  

• Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology relevant to minor injuries and illnesses
• Assessment and diagnosis of minor injuries and illnesses:

  •  History taking
  •  Physical examination
  •  Diagnostics and investigations
• Evidence-based management strategies for minor injuries and illnesses, including:
  • Wound care and closure
  • Burns
  • Injuries to the Eye
  • Fractures, splints, Plaster of Paris, sprains and strains, dislocations
  • Head injuries
  • X-ray request and interpretation (all ages)
  • Insect and animal bites
  • Foreign bodies
• Assessment and management of common minor illnesses, including presentations from the following systems:
  • Dermatology
  • Ear, Nose and Throat
  • Eyes
  • Gastrointestinal and hepatic
  • Male and female anatomical health
  • Medication review
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Paediatric illness
  • Renal and genitourinary
  • Respiratory
  • Adult and paediatric patients
• Professional, legal and ethical responsibilities
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for pain management in minor injuries and illnesses
• Interprofessional collaboration, effective communication, and onward referral in the context of minor injuries and illness.

Teaching

This module runs once every other week for 20 weeks:

Start Month: April 2026 (Terms 3 & 4)

Teaching: w/c 13.04.2026 - 11/09/2026 (Thursday)

Student Vacation: 22/06/2026 - 06/07/2026

Start Month: July 2026 (Terms 4 & 1)

Teaching: w/c 06.07.2026 - 12/12/2026 (Thursday)

Student Vacation: TBC

Assessment

20-credit module / Level 7

• Objective Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE)
• Core conditions and clinical skills portfolio (developed throughout the module)

Faculty

The module lead is Senior Lecturer Sam Whitby (Primary and Urgent Care ACP)