Module Code - Title:

BM4021 - PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES 1

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

6

Tutorial

0

Other

0

Private

6

Credits

15

Grading Type:

PF

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

It is increasingly recognised that the multi-dimensional professional competencies contained in this module are increasingly required by a competent and reflective medical practitioner.

Syllabus:

The module comprises a range of topics that surface repeatedly throughout the year. These include: - Health Psychology - Social and community aspects of health care - Epidemiology - Biostatistics - Public Health Medicine - Health Promotion & Disease Prevention - Occupational Medicine - Complementary Medicine - The Humanities - Informatics - Critical Reasoning - Evidence-Based Medicine - Health Service Organisation & Governance - Health Economics - Health Law and Ethics - Self-awareness and self-care (including the ability to function as a team member)

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

This module focuses on the affective (attitudes and values) domain. However, the related module BM4001, which focuses on the cognitive domain is complementary and both domains significantly overlap. Throughout the four years of the programme, the curriculum is built around the three domains of Knowledge of Health & Illness (the cognitive domain); Clinical Skills (the psychomotor domain) and Professional Competencies (the affective domain) in all years and these three domains are both vertically and horizontally integrated.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Demonstrate an appreciation of the behavioural sciences in relation to medicine Promote those attitutdes that are essential for ethical and professional behaviour Can explain the importance of health promotion and disease prevention Demonstrate critical reasoning Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence to clinical decision making Demonstrates the ability to analyse and defend the role of the Doctor within the Health Service and society Demonstrate self-awareness and self-care, including the ability to function as a team member

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

While this module focuses on the affective domain, the related module BM4002 focuses on the psychomotor domain and both significantly overlap. Throughout the four years of the programme, the curriculum is built around the three domains of Knowledge of Health & Illness (the cognitive domain); Clinical Skills (the psychomotor domain) and Professional Competencies (the affective domain) and these three domains are both horizontally and vertically integrated.

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

A variety of formats will be used for teaching and learning relating to professional competencies, including lectures, small group tutorials, seminars, workshops and project work. Where possible in Years 1 & 2, issues relating to professional competencies will be linked to concurrent PBL cases so as to make explicit their clinical relevance.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Adler B, Porter M, Abraham C,van Teijlingan E (2004) Psychology and Sociology Applied to Medicine , Churchill Livingston

Baxter C, Brennan MG, Coldicott Y, Moller M (2005) The Practical Guide to Medical Ethics and Law 2nd Edition , PasTest Ltd

Other Relevant Texts:

Madden D (2007) Medicine, ethics and the law in Ireland , Butterworths

Hyde A, Lohan M, McDonnell o (2004) Sociology for Healthcare Professionals in Ireland , IPA

Scambler G (2003) Sociology as Applied to Medicine , Saunders

Nettleton S (2006) The Sociology of Health and Illness 2nd Edition , Polity Press

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

Hope.Davidson@ul.ie