Assessment and Examination of the Newborn

Learning Outcomes

The syllabus is underpinned and informed by current evidence relating to examination of the newborn. This includes the latest guidelines and evidence produced by the NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) Programme and any screening recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC). The NIPE benchmarking standards for the newborn examination have been integrated within the syllabus. Core content will include: * Fetal development and assessment of the transitional events in the neonatal period. * Applied pathophysiology of specific body systems. * Principles of obtaining and recording a comprehensive history * Normal morphology of the newborn and deviations from normal. * Birth trauma * Normal biochemical, haematological and microbiological values * Detailed comprehensive clinical & physical assessment and examination of the newborn related to all body systems and including orthopaedics, ophthalmology and dermatology * Neurological assessment of the newborn * Psycho-social assessment of the needs of the neonate and their family * Nutritional assessment and requirements of the healthy newborn * NIPE standards and neonatal screening * An introduction to problem solving and diagnostic reasoning for babies on the postnatal ward. * Discussion and evaluation of current evidence and policies relating to the identification, assessment and management of sepsis * Discharge process * Communication with parents regarding health education and immunisations * Record keeping and referral systems * Professional autonomy and accountability and exploration of the legal, professional and ethical issues relating to the changing role boundaries in professional practice. * Critical consideration of the evidence base underpinning examination of the newborn

A variety of learning and teaching methods may be used including: * a self-directed pre-module Basic Science learning package which enables you to review and develop your basic science foundation prior to the start of the module. This learning will provide the underpinning knowledge on which the module syllabus will be based. It is recommended that you study between 2-4 hours per week for 12 weeks and that you ensure that you have covered the learning outcomes that are linked to each of the 12 weeks. In addition there are key physiology references that provide the opportunity for you to broaden and deepen your knowledge base. * lectures- specialist subject lecturers will enable you to acquire a breadth and depth of appropriate clinically knowledge and experience * small group tutorials * online resources including listening to heart sounds, examination of the neurological system, quizzes and Blackboard * recommended key physiology podcasts * practical sessions including the use of ophthalmoscopes and hip models * video and slide sets focussed on examination of the newborn * clinical group discussions facilitated by experienced neonatal practitioners * problem-based case scenarios where you will have the opportunity to discuss and explore cases both within groups and individually. These sessions will provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate your integration of knowledge, understanding and clinical experience. In addition your clinical mentor will receive a specifically developed mentorship guideline booklet, including assessment documentation, which will clearly outline the role and responsibilities of a mentor with regard to clinical learning and teaching in clinical practice. In this context you will have the opportunity to learn from and with your mentor the skills required to undertake this role. This will not only include the physical examination but also key transferable skills such as communication, problem solving and collaborative working within the multi-disciplinary team.