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Diagnostics - HEA00169M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

You will explore the relevant biological process and relate these to the pathological processes which are relevant to your practice enabling you to gain a critical understanding of patient assessment and management. You will develop your diagnostics skills and reasoning through exploration of the relevant physiological and pathophysiological process.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2023-24

Module aims

You will explore the relevant biological process and relate these to the pathological processes which are relevant to your practice enabling you to gain a critical understanding of patient assessment and management. You will develop your diagnostics skills and reasoning through exploration of the relevant physiological and pathophysiological process.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Critically apply understanding of biological processes in patient investigation and diagnosis

  2. 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 symptoms of illness.

  3. Articulate likely diagnosis and possible differentials related to patient presentation

  4. Plan evidence-based care in collaboration with the patient and colleagues as required and/or refer for further assessment/tests/treatment as appropriate.

  5. 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.

Module content

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

  • Major pathological processes and how they present in an individual

  • 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

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

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

  • Ethics in clinical practice

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

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 100

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is 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


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.