Physical Examination Skills 9 and 16 October 2024

Workshop Title: Advanced Practice :  Physical Examination Skills Workshop
Format: Hands-on, classroom-based workshop
Target Audience: Advanced practitioners, primary care clinicians, and allied health professionals looking to enhance their physical examination competencies
Mapped Against: Advanced Practice 4 Pillars of Practice (Clinical Practice, Leadership, Education, and Research)

This interactive workshop is designed to develop advanced physical examination skills essential for clinicians working in primary care, urgent care, and general practice. Participants will practice and refine examination techniques for the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and musculoskeletal systems, with a focus on clinical accuracy, identifying abnormal findings, and integrating these skills into comprehensive patient assessments. The workshop also emphasizes critical decision-making, leadership in clinical settings, and the application of evidence-based practices.

Aims

Equip participants with advanced physical examination techniques for key body systems and strengthen the ability to assess findings accurately and apply them to clinical decisions in real-world practice.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

1.  Demonstrate a structured approach  in conducting comprehensive physical examinations, including detailed assessment of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and musculoskeletal systems.
2. Recognise and interpret abnormal clinical signs and symptoms that may indicate underlying pathology.
3. Apply physical examination findings to inform clinical decisions and management plans, ensuring safe and effective patient care.
4.  Show leadership in coordinating patient assessments and working collaboratively with healthcare teams.
5.  Critically reflect on examination techniques, continuously improving through the integration of research and evidence into practice.

Key Skills Developed

• Proficiency in examining the head, neck, chest, abdomen, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems.
• Ability to identify abnormal findings and red flags in physical examinations.
• Enhanced clinical decision-making, leadership, and integration of research into physical assessment.

Content

• Introduction to Advanced Practice and Physical Examination Skills
  • Overview of the Advanced Practice 4 Pillars of Practice
  • Role of physical examination in clinical decision-making and patient safety
  • Linking examination skills to red flag identification
•  Head and Neck Examination
  • Detailed assessment of head, neck, lymph nodes, thyroid, and cranial nerves
  • Recognising abnormal findings: swollen lymph nodes, goitre, facial asymmetry
  • Red flags: severe headaches, visual disturbances, and neck stiffness
•  Chest and Cardiovascular Examination
  • Heart auscultation techniques: identifying murmurs, rubs, and gallops
  • Lung examination: percussion, auscultation, and inspection for respiratory distress
  • Red flags: abnormal heart sounds, wheezing, and crackles
  • Clinical decision-making based on physical findings
• Interactive Practical Session
  • Hands-on practice of head, neck, and chest examination techniques
  • Peer assessments with feedback on examination accuracy

• Abdominal Examination
  • Techniques: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the abdomen
  • Identifying common conditions: appendicitis, hernias, and liver disease
  • Red flags: acute abdomen, peritonitis, and abdominal masses
  • Safety netting and when to refer for further investigations

•  Neurological Examination
  • Full neurological assessment: motor, sensory, reflexes, and coordination
  • Identifying neurological deficits: stroke, nerve compression, and neuropathy
  • Red flags: sudden weakness, loss of sensation, and altered consciousness
  • Integrating neurological findings into clinical practice
•  Evidence-Based Physical Examination and Research Integration
  • Review of current research on physical examination techniques
  • Critical appraisal of evidence supporting examination accuracy and clinical utility
  • Integrating findings from research into everyday practice
• Leadership in Physical Examination
  • Leading patient assessments in multidisciplinary teams
  • Effective communication of examination findings
  • Building confidence in handling complex cases and sharing decision-making
• Final Practical Assessment and Reflection
  • Case presentations: participants will assess and present findings from physical examination
  • Peer review and facilitator feedback on examination techniques and clinical decisions
  • Reflective practice: identifying areas for improvement and developing a personal action plan

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