Overview
t Course Handbook A Note About This Handbook… This handbook contains information applicable to you whether a General Practice Assistant (GPA) trainee, your practice supervisor or practice educator. The first section provides details of the course in terms of aims, learning outcomes and schedule of teaching sessions. It also contains details of the assessment and the responsibilities of all those involved in the supervision and assessment process. The handbook also contains information on reflection and provides an example of how a reflective account by a GPA trainee might be compiled. This is primarily to assist the GPA trainee but may also be of use to the supervisor and educator. The handbook also contains other useful resources including links to websites and study skills materials which all involved may find useful. Course Handbook Contents Content Welcome Overview of the course Course Aims Course Outcome Schedule of Sessions Assessment Information Suggested Reading & Learning Resources Some Frequently Asked Questions Factors To Consider When Managing Your Academic Study Planning & Time Management Accessing Specialist Support Finding Information Athens Accounts What is Critical Thinking Academic Writing Referencing your Work Managing Wellbeing Appendix 1: Domains, Proficiencies & Assessment Criteria Page Number Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 9 Page 13 Page 14 Appendix 2: Reflective Model Template - Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle Page 35 Appendix 2: Reflective Model Template - Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle Page 16 Page 16 Page 16 Page 18 Page 19 Page 19 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 36 Welcome Welcome to this part-time course which will prepare you for your future role as a GP assistant (GPA). We hope you find this module informative and engaging, and most importantly that it helps prepare for your role as a GPA. The course has been accredited by the University of Greenwich at 20 credits, level 4. This is the equivalent to 1/6 of the first year of an undergraduate programme of study. The course lasts six months during which time you will be allocated one day/week protected learning time, which is your day for formal study. Your study day will comprise both work-based learning and a taught element via MS Teams. The course is coordinated and led by the South-East London Workforce Development Hub (WDH) on behalf of the five WDHs across London. The course is therefore delivered on a Pan-London basis, all GPAs across London receiving the same training. Liz Nichols leads the course on behalf of SELWDH and is also responsible for the learner experience of GPA trainees in South East London. Each Integrated Care system (ICS) facing WDH has an identified lead. This is important for you as depending on which ICS geography your practice is based will determine who is your main point of contact. The name and contact details of each lead are as follows: Hub South East London WDH Named Lead Liz Nicholls Contact details [email protected] South West London TH North West London TH North Central London TH North East London TH TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC This handbook provides you with information about the course, how it will be taught including a schedule of sessions, and how it will be assessed. The handbook also outlines expectation of you as a student and provides some direction on study skills development and the principles of reflective practice. Whilst on the course you will be supervised on a day to day basis; your supervisor may change according to working patterns and expertise. For example the administrative component of the GPA role and associated learning may be supervised by the practice manager or an experienced receptionist, whereas the clinical component of the course will be supervised by a nurse or other clinician. Expectations of the supervisor are outlined in this handbook as are the expectations of the practice educator. The practice educator is the named GP who will ultimately assess whether you have achieved the proficiencies required to be confirmed as having passed the course. Throughout the course we will be seeking evaluative feedback. Please do use these opportunities as evaluation is essential to ensuring the course meets your needs as well as your employers and is an important element of continual improvement. Many thanks Liz and the Team Overview of the Course As a GPA you will form part of a multi-disciplinary team within primary care. You will be providing an important support role, carrying out administrative tasks, combined with basic clinical duties, helping to free up GPs time and contributing to the smooth running of appointments, thereby improving patients’ experience in your surgery. In order to regularise the role and training needed for GPAs, a national framework has been developed built around five domains: Care; Administration; Clinical; Communications and; Managing Health Records. Associated with these domains is a competency framework. The framework is included as Appendix A. The domains have influenced the course design, content and assessment so we suggest that you familiarise yourself with the framework as this will give you a clear indication of the expectations of your role and therefore what is required of you to successfully complete the course. On this page the course aims and outcomes are expressed. An aim is what the course will do, an outcome is the expectation of what you as the learner will be able to achieve by the end of the course. Course Aim: The course aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills required to enable you to effectively undertake your role as a GPAs. Course Outcomes: By the end of the course you will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Promote physical and mental health well-being, demonstrating understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning holistic person-centred care Demonstrate the principles of patient confidentiality when documenting and sharing patient data/information Recognise what constitutes an appropriate environment for meeting patients’ needs during assessment and sample collection Explain the principles underpinning good communication and informed consent during a patient consultation, demonstrating these principles in practice Week Session Capabilities – The learner will….. Mapping 0 Introduction to the Course Be familiar with course content and its relevance to the GPA role. Understand the assessment requirements. Scope of Practice 1. 2. 3. 1 The clinical encounter/ consultation. Understand differing consultation modalities Understand the purpose of the consultation encounter and common key lines of enquiry Understand the key channels for communication within the practice. Understand common reasons for patient dissatisfaction and the process for complaints. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1.1 – 1.6 2.1 – 2.9 3.1 – 3.7 2 Using and facilitating active communication skills Be able to implement and promote active participation Be able to support the individual's right to make choices Demonstrate the use of resources to support communication Be able to demonstrate communication skills which aid the patient consultation 1. 2. 3. 4. 4.1 – 4.4 5.1 – 5.3 6.1 – 6.9 7.1 – 7.2 3 The clinical examination Know common examination procedures used. Recognise what constitutes a significant events and can report appropriately 1. 2. 21.1 – 21.12 22.1 4 Person centred care Understand the application of person- centred approaches in health and social care and can apply this to general practice. Be able to work in a person-centred way Be able to promote individuals’ well-being 1. 2. 3. 1.1 - 1.2 2.1 - 2.3 3.1 - 3.4 5 Risk assessment and care planning. Understand the role of risk assessment in enabling a person- centred approach Be able to support the implementation of care plans Be able to monitor a care plan Be able to facilitate a review of care plans and their implementation 1. 2. 3. 4. 4.1 - 4.3 5.1 - 5.3 6.1 - 6.3 7.1 - 7.5 6 Mental Health and Wellbeing Understand the different views on the nature of mental well-being and mental health and the factors that may influence both during a patient’s life. Know how to implement an effective strategy for promoting mental well-being and mental health with individuals and groups 1. 2. 12.1 - 12.3 13.1 - 13.3 Schedule of Teaching & Learning Activities (i.e. w/c 2nd October - 4th Feb with 2 week Xmas break) Week Session Capabilities – The learner will….. Mapping 7 Infection Control policy Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of infections Understand legislation and policies relating to prevention and control of infections Understand systems and procedures relating to the prevention and control of infections. Understand the importance of risk assessment in relation to the prevention and control of infections. 1. 2. 3. 4. 8.1 - 8.2 9.1 - 9.2 10.1 - 10.2 11.1 - 11.3 8 Principles of infection control practice Understand the importance of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the prevention and control of infections including COVID-19 Understand the importance of good personal hygiene in the prevention and control of infections Understand the causes of infection Understand the transmission of infection 1. 2. 3. 4. 7.1 – 7.8 8.1 – 8.6 9.1 – 9.6 10.1 – 10.5 9 Information Management Understand requirements for handling information in health and social care settings Be able to implement good practice in handling information Know ways to support individuals to access information on services and facilities Be able to work with individuals to select and obtain information on services and facilities Be able to work with individuals to access and use information about services and facilities Familiarisation with hospital, out of hours and other communications, and key information to be extracted. Be able to support the GP to complete common administrative task 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.1 - 1.2 2.1 - 2.5 3.1 - 3.5 4.1 - 4.3 5.1 - 5.4 6.1 - 6.6 7.1 – 7.6 10 The surgery environment, policy and practice. Understand relevant legislation, policy and good practice in relation to obtaining, carrying, testing and storing specimens. Understand how to prepare and manage environments and resources for use during healthcare activities Preparing environments, medical equipment, devices and resources for use during healthcare activities. Be able to ensure that environments and resources are ready for their next intended use Be able to prepare individuals to undergo healthcare activities Be able to support individuals undergoing healthcare activities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1.1 – 1.2 2.1 -2.4, 3.1 – 3.9 4.1 – 4.8 5.1 – 5.9 6.1 – 6.6 Week Session Capabilities – The learner will….. Mapping 11 Principles and practice of informed consent Be able to establish consent when providing care or support to a patient 1. 11.1 – 11.3 12 Principles and practice of obtaining and testing specimens Understand the processes involved in obtaining and testing specimens from individuals Prepare for and obtain specimens Test specimens obtained Report on the outcomes on the test of specimens to the GP and patient 1. 2. 3. 4. 12.1 – 12.3 13.1 – 13.5 14.1 – 14.6 15.1, 15.2, 16.1, 16.4 13 Obtaining venous blood specimens 1Understand the anatomy and physiology relating to obtaining venous blood samples Preparing for and obtaining venous blood samples Be able to prepare venous blood samples for transportation 1. 2. 3. 17.1 – 17.3 18.1 – 18.4 19.1 – 19.7, 20.1 14 Managing written communications including complaints. Be able to use [GP] clinical records to gain and add appropriate information. Be able to summarise written information Recording patient encounters Harvesting information from letters 1. 2. 3. 4. 8.1 – 8.5 9.1 1.1 - 1.5, 2.1 2.3 3.1 – 3.4, 4.1– 4.5 15 Principles of chronic disease management Understanding drug history Obtaining results of common tests on behalf of GP Be able to navigate the population manager facility system to support chronic disease management. 1. 2. 3. 5.1 – 5.2 6.1 – 6.4 7.1 – 7.3 16 Review of learning and clarification of any outstanding issues. Course evaluation NA NA Care Administration Clinical Communication Managing Health Records Colour Coding to Show Application of Sessions to Domains across Schedule of Sessions Assessment Information Criteria for Assessing Domains One (care) and Three (clinical) The assessment for this course requires you to gather a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that you have achieved the GPA proficiencies. A practice assessment document has been devised which enables recording of your achievement and is included as Appendix B for reference. You will be provided with a personal copy of a practice assessment document for completion. The practice assessment document is structured around the five domains, so that you are assessed against proficiencies relating to: Care; Administration; Clinical; Communications; Managing Health Records. The ‘care’ and ‘clinical’ domains require you to demonstrate proficiencies that involve fundamental patient care. These proficiencies will be assessed using the same criteria that are used to assess proficiency for year one undergraduate nursing associate students as follows: The criteria for assessing proficiencies against domains Two (administration), Four, (communication) and Five (managing health records) are as follows: Achieved Knowledge Skills Attitude and values Yes Is able to identify the appropriate knowledge base required to deliver safe, person centred care under some guidance. In commonly encountered situations is able to demonstrate appropriate skills in the delivery of person centred care with some guidance. Is able to demonstrate a professional attitude in delivering person centred care. Demonstrates positive engagement with own learning. No Is not able to demonstrate an adequate knowledge base and has significant gaps in understanding, leading to poor practice. Under direct supervision is not able to demonstrate safe practice in delivering care despite repeated guidance and prompting in familiar tasks. Inconsistent professional attitude towards others and lacks self-awareness. Is not asking questions nor engaging with own learning needs. Achieved Knowledge Level of performance Personal and professional awareness Yes Applies knowledge appropriately providing a rationale for actions Confident / safe / efficient Conscious / deliberate planning No Lacks knowledge and insight. Lacks accuracy & confidence; needing continuous guidance & supervision Lacks insight into own personal and professional/work behaviours You will also be required to write reflective statements applied to domain 1 (care) and Domain 3 (clinical). Your reflective statements should be structured using a recognised reflective cycle (see page 15 of this handbook) Methods of SUMMATIVE