Module: Introduction to Clinical Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Clinical Practice
Module Code	TRE1001 (ITS: SS231)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will introduce the student to the initial care of injured athletes. Students will be placed with teams both within and outside the DCU campus and will attend training sessions and games. They will attend with 3rd year ATT students and will assist and observe these students as specific tasks are carried out. These tasks are 1. To assist the athletes to prepare for participation by conducting specific pre-participation tasks (e.g. taping/strapping, massage, warm-up), 2. To provide first aid cover for the session/game, 3. Carry out initial assessment and first aid treatment of any injuries that occur, 4. Prepare a care plan for injured athletes, 5. Maintain proper clinical notes relating to all injuries, 6. establish and maintain contact with the team coaches in relation to the role of the ATT students and in relation to the status of injured athletes.1. to assist the athletes to prepare for participation by conducting specific pre-participation tasks (taping / strapping, massage, warm-up) 2. to provide first aid cover for the session / game 3. carry out initial assessment and first aid treatment of any injuries that occur 4. prepare a care plan for injured athletes 5. maintain proper clinical notes relating to all injuries 6. to establish and maintain contact with the team coaches in relation to the role of the ATT students and in relation to the status of injured athletes and will undertake assist in the preparation of athletes for participation in thesesModule Aims:

Learning Outcomes

1. Define his/her own role in the group looking after the health care of the team of players
2. Perform pre-match ankle and thumb taping
3. Perform initial injury assessment
4. Administer initial injury treatment that is appropriate for the injury (e.g. PEACE & LOVE)
5. Produce clinical notes on an injured athletes to an appropriate standard
6. Prepare and perform oral case presentations on injuries assessed in clinics, with an emphasis on differential diagnoses

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Professional Practice	36	No Description
Directed learning	1	No Description
Seminars	12	No Description
Independent Study	76	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11581	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martin Sweeney	Module Teacher	Aoife Burke

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Duty and injury documentation completed at team placements	50%	n/a
Participation	Student Led Clinic attendance and performance, assessed by tutor with no formal exam	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Student Led Clinic
Attend, learn and engage in weekly assigned Student Led Clinic, developing competence in leading subjective and objective assessments

Team Placement
Attend assigned team placements and collaborate with fellow students from year 3 and/or year 4 of the programme. Complete all required documentation.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Peter Brukner and Karim Khan: 2002, Clinical sports medicine, 2nd, McGraw Hill, 0-074-71108-3
Chad Starkey, Jeffrey L. Ryan: 2002, Evaluation of orthopedic and athletic injuries, F.A. Davis Co., Philadelphia, PA, 978-0-8036-0791-0

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None