MD4003 Clinical Reasoning

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students enrolled in the BSc Honours Medicine programme.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr P Bjelogrlic

Dr P Bjelogrlic
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Peter Williamson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module enables students to develop their clinical reasoning skills through a series of simulation exercises, workshops, and practical sessions. Advanced skills are introduced to support clinical development, including the ABCDE approach to patient management, fluid management, safe prescribing, breast examination, breaking bad news, and eFAST. Workshops on clinical decision-making and problem-solving are designed to enhance students’ clinical reasoning abilities. A series of revision topics cover key aspects of patient investigations, such as haematology, clinical chemistry, and ECG interpretation. Additionally, relevant anatomy is reviewed in the context of clinical examination and imaging. Revisiting these topics within a spiral curriculum reinforces previously acquired knowledge. The module also provides an opportunity to explore the challenges of working alongside other healthcare professionals within multi-disciplinary teams.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MD3001 AND PASS MD3002

Assessment pattern

100% exam

Re-assessment

100% exam

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 hours per week or 6 hours per fortnight, plus clinical placements.

Scheduled learning hours

50

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

150

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Apply a cognitive approach to clinical problems
  • Integrate clinical skills and knowledge learnt from all previous modules to demonstrate preparedness for their transfer to clinical environment
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to undertake a range of clinical and communication skills
  • Consolidate various clinical skills with related pathology using clinical reasoning