Advanced physical assessment as a course of studies for future masters of science in nursing at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University

Abstract

Summary. Advanced research and assessment of the patient's health status plays a key role in the practice of a nurse. As autonomous, independent health care providers, nurses perform health assessments to evaluate patient needs and determine the best treatments. Advanced health assessment is a systematic process for evaluating the physical, mental and functional aspects of patient health. Mastering this diagnostic tool is vital to nurse`s practice because health assessment forms the basis of patient care

The aim of the study – to describe and analyze the academic program of the course Advanced Physical Assessment, branch of knowledge – 22 HEALTH CARE, specialty “223 NURSING”, training program “NURSING”, degree of higher education – Second (Master) level of higher education in the international students’ faculty of  I. Horbachevsky TNMU.

Materials and Methods. It was described and analyzed both the training program and the academic program of the course of studies “Advanced Physical Assessment”, available for students of the second degree of higher education in the Institute of Nursing, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.

Results. The course of studies “Advanced Physical Assessment”, which was developed according to the requirements of the training program is aimed at development of systemic knowledge and understanding of conceptual foundations by students utilizing systematic history taking and the knowledge of therapeutic communication to elicit subjective data; collecting objective data; validating, analyzing and documentation of those data. This course ensures the acquisition of the appropriate competences and program learning outcomes, consists of lectures, training sessions and student`s independent work. It presents an overview of the full and comprehensive health assessment of patients across the life span. It emphasizes multiple aspects of advanced health assessment, including physical, functional and mental health assessment along with transcultural variations.

Conclusions. According to the requirements of the training program “Nursing” the course of studies “Advanced Physical Assessment” is available for students of the second (master) degree of higher education. The course of studies “Advanced Physical Assessment” consists of lectures (24 hours), training sessions (30 hours) and student’s independent work (126 hours). The course of studies “Advanced Physical Assessment” ensures the acquisition of the appropriate competences and program learning outcomes in accordance with the training program “Nursing”. The assessment of students` performance is evaluated using the criteria for assessment of students’ knowledge and skills.