Module Details

Module Code: PHIO H4119
Module Title: Differential Diagnosis
Title: Differential Diagnosis
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Paula Rankin
Module Author:: Claire Lodge
Domains:  
Module Description: To progress the student's knowledge and understanding of neuromusculoskeletal impairment identification. Advance their clinical reasoning to consider other differential diagnoses., including Musculoskeletal masqueraders.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Recognise and describe the pertinent signs and symptoms of a systemic disorder and non mechanical disorder. Be competent in differentiating between local neuromusculoskeletal impairments and a systemic disorder.
LO2 Identify possible orthopaedic / neuromusculoskeletal impairments,and there mechanical and nonmechanical differentials, for the peripheral and spinal neuromusculoskeletal system given a pertinent subjective history, signs, symptoms and evaluation summary.
LO3 Identify limitations and prognosis of the presenting disorder and be able to identify when a second opinion is essential. Recognise when it is appropriate to refer for further investigations (being aware of the investigations available - with reference to imaging and radiographic techniques).
LO4 Be competent in accessing and critically appraising the most recent evidence pertaining to conditions / impairments encountered, to facilitate optimal patient care.
LO5 Identify pertinent evidence based clinical practice guidelines, where appropriate, that will guide optimal patient management.
LO6 Be competent in incorporating the Musculoskeletal Clinical Translation Framework (MCTF) in Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders (MPD) assessment and management
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Theory/Practical 1.1
Knowledge, presentation and recognition of the pertinent signs and symptoms of the systemic disorders such as the Sero-negative spondyloarthropathies and non mechanical disorders that may present as differentials to neuromusculoskeletal disorders.
Theory/Practical 1.2
Clinical anatomy of the upper and lower extremities with emphasis on the etiology, incidence, typical presentation and management options.
Theory/Practical 1.3
Mechanisms of injury for the neuromusculoskeletal system with emphasis on primary and secondary restraints of all the peripheral joints and identification of possible structures involved
Theory/Practical 1.4
Differentiate, recognise and identify causes of pain. Understand the subclassification of pain and its relationship to differential diagnosis. Recognise the pertinent signs for identifying: i)NPSH ( Neuropathic Pain Sensory Hypersensitivity) ii) Peripheral Neuropathic Pain (conductivity / sensitivity) iii)Nocioceptive somatic iv) mixed.
Theory/Practical 1.5
Utilising the current evidence,critically select and implement the most appropriate examination tools for a given condition. Recognise sensitivity / specficityand likelihood ratios for selected tests to justify their implementation and where appropriate, clinical practice guidelines.
Theory/Practical 1.6
Case study reviews, both theoretical and practical, with emphasis on differential identification from the subjective examination to formulate a subjective hypothesis that guides the objective examination. Justification of specific testing procedures to confirm in the objective examination (see 1.5)
Theory/Practical 1.7
Knowledge of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computerised Tomography) and specialised radiographic techniques and their use and properties for identifying certain pathologies.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment30.00%
Practical70.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 30
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Case study reviews, practical case presentations and Case based clinical practice guideline presentations.
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 70
Timing Sem 1 End Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
2 separate oral practical viva examinations (35% each) based on a clinical case scenario. Candidates are to present examination findings, discuss pertinent differentials related to current evidence for oral justification and presentation.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Independent learning 15 Weeks per Stage 11.87 178
Lecture Contact Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Practicals Contact Practical class 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Netter, F.. Interactive Atlas of Clinical Anatomy, Novartis,USA.
  • Harries, M., Williams, C., Stanish WD. (2000), Oxford Textbook of Sports Medicine, 2nd. Oxford Publishing.
  • Stoller, DW. MRI,Arthroscopy and Surgical Anatomy of the Joints, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, USA.
  • Brukner, P and Kahn, K. (2010), Clinical Sports Medicine, McGraw Hill, Australia.
  • Cavallaro Goodman,C., Kelly Snyder T. (2000), Differential diagnosis in physical therapy, Saunders, Philadelphia, [ISBN: 0-7216-8184-0].
  • Beirman, R. (2012), Cases in differential diagnosis for the physical and manipulative therapies, Philadelphia; Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, [ISBN: 9780729539975].
  • Cleland, J., Koppenhaver, S. (2011), Netter's Orthopaedic Clinical Examination: An Evidence-Based Approach, 2nd. Saunders, Philidelphia, p.576, [ISBN: 9781437713848].
  • Ombregt, L. (2014), A system of orthopaedic medicine, 3rd. Philadelphia; Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, [ISBN: 9780702031458].
  • Drake RL. (2015), Gray's atlas of anatomy, 3rd. Philadelphia; Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, p.xvi, 626 :, [ISBN: 9781455748020].
  • Mitchell T., Beales D., Slater H., O'Sullivan P. (2018), Musculoskeletal Clinical Translational Framework: Knowing to doing, Curtin University, Australia, p.109, [ISBN: 978-0-6481490].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • Physical Therapy in Sport as accessed through science direct.
  • Manual Therapy.
  • Physician and Sports Medicine.
  • Cohcrane database.
  • Others notified through Blackboard as reviewed.
Discussion Note: