Biological Basis of Diagnostics & Decision Making - HEA00127M

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Module summary

You will gain an in depth understanding of key biological processes which are relevant to your practice enabling you to gain a critical understanding of both quantitative and qualitative aspects of diagnostics and decision making which underpins diagnostic accuracy and skill.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Summer Vacation 2024-25 to Autumn Term 2025-26

Module aims

You will gain an in depth understanding of key biological processes which are relevant to your practice enabling you to gain a critical understanding of both quantitative and qualitative aspects of diagnostics and decision making which underpins diagnostic accuracy and skill.

Module learning outcomes

1. Critically explore the concept of diagnosis with reference to history, culture, professional identity and personal perspectives

2. Evaluate the presenting patient and likely diagnoses, considering possible differentials, in order to plan evidenced based care in collaboration with the patient and colleagues as required and/or refer for further assessment/tests/treatment as appropriate.

3. To consider the ethical and social implications that performing laboratory tests has on an individual, and be able to discuss these implications and the results with the patient.

4. Demonstrate understanding of the sensitivity and specificity of tests and how this influences decision making

5. Critically apply underpinning of biological processes in the selection and interpretation of diagnostic tests

6. Articulate diagnostic reasoning with reference to underpinning clinical science and theory

7. Evaluate pathophysiological processes in order to discuss how contemporary health care and/or other interventions may be able to alter the disease trajectory and alleviate signs and

Module content

• Applied biology and clinical life science with a focus on pathophysiology

• Major pathological processes and how they present in an individual

• Definitions and models of clinical diagnosis – historical, cross professional and cross cultural perspectives

• Decision making theory and its application to diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making

• The role of clinical testing within a consultation: history, examination, laboratory and imaging

  • Near patient testing

  • Genetic tests

  • Haematological tests

  • Biochemistry

  • Blood gas analysis

  • Virology/Microbiology

• Critically analysing the costs and benefits of clinical testing

• The accuracy of diagnostic testing: sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, risk and probability.

• Clinical testing: haematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, principles of imaging, pathology, functional measurement and cardiovascular investigations

• Designing clinical tools.

• Shared decision making

• Using patient level and societal level data to contribute to contemporary healthcare

• Ethics in clinical practice

• Decision making in those with communicative challenges

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	30

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam	30

Module feedback

Feedback will be given by the module team on the formative presentation at the time of delivery.

Written feedback on the summative assessment will be provided on the standard proforma within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Higgins C (2013). Understanding Laboratory Investigations: A guide for nurses and health professionals.

Kumar, P., & Clark, M. (Eds.) (2017) Clinical medicine (9th Ed.). London: Elsevier

Marieb, E.N. Hoehn, K. (2016) Human Anatomy and Physiology (10th edition) London:Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.

McCance, K.L. & Huether, S.E. (2010) Pathophysiology; the biologic basis for disease in adults and children (6th ed.) St Louis: Mosby Elsevier

Sox H, Higgins M, Owens D (2013). Medical Decision Making. Wiley Blackwell