MED2061 and MED2062

Clinical and communication skills I

Dr B J Canny (Physiology)

Objectives On the completion of these subjects students will be able to conduct physical examinations of the cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and examine the joints of the upper and lower limbs. In addition, students will be able to elicit histories of disease pertinent to the above systems. Students will have had the opportunity to integrate theoretical skills they have developed with the practice of medicine by a series of medical contact visits. They will have an understanding of the incidence of disease events in the family, appreciated the degree of understanding of disease states by the family and the impact of lifestyle factors on disease.

Synopsis Over two semesters, students will be introduced to the basic elements of the taking of a medical history and be given the opportunity to learn skills of hands-on physical examination. There will be close integration between the theoretical information taught in 'Cardiovascular and respiratory medicine', and 'Gastrointestinal medicine' and the application of this information in 'Clinical and communication skills'. The material taught in second year will build on the communication skills acquired in first year and continue the use of medical contact visits associated with defined and structured aims. The family study will focus on disease incidence and appreciation in the family, and the effect of lifestyle factors on disease.

Assessment Viva voce (first semester): 30%, Viva voce (second semester) · 50% · Family study essay 10% · Tutorial performance 10%

Recommended texts

Munro J and Edwards C R W (eds) Macleod's 'Clinical examination' 9th edn, Churchill Livingstone, 1996 or
Talley N and O'Connor S Clinical examination 3rd edn, Maclennan and Petty, 1997
Lloyd M and Bor R Communication skills for medicine Churchill Livingstone, 1996
Toghill P J (ed.) Examining patients: An introduction to clinical medicine 2nd edn, Edward Arnold, 1995
Welsby P D Clinical history taking and examination Churchill Livingstone, 1996

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