Module: Clinical Experience

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Clinical Experience
Module Code	TRE1005 (ITS: SS425)
Faculty	Health & Human Performance	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	20

Description

This module aims to provide the student with a 3-4 month clinical experience placement in Ireland or abroad. Host institutions/centres will be identified for the students. The aims of the placement are 1. To gain a minimum of 20 hours per week “hands-on” clinical experience in assessing and discussing cases in a supervised environment, 2. To attend available/suitable academic modules and courses in the host institution, 3. To experience the Athletic Therapy profession (or other clinical sports medicine) profession at work in a new and non-DCU environment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Perform at least 20 hours per week in a sports medicine practice to the satisfaction of the supervisor
2. Reflect and evaluate performance over the course of a 3-4 month full-time clinical experience in a new environment.
3. Demonstrate clinical competence in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of an injured athlete.
4. Work effectively in a professional manner as part of a sports medicine team.
5. Present and critique case studies and defend the selected diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
6. Write up comprehensive clinical cases during the placement and critically assess these cases.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Clinical placement	750	Varied clinical / academic experience
Total Workload: 750

Section Breakdown
CRN	11598	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	PASS/FAIL	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Martin Sweeney	Module Teacher	Aoife Burke

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Participation	Students submit a reflection on their performance and an update on their hours completed every two weeks during the course of the placement.The students also must present a weekly case study to their supervisor and submit this along with a comprehensive write up of a clinical case on a monthly basis to the module coordinator. Following these submissions an evaluation by the host institution supervisor (pass / fail) is completed.	100%	Sem 1 End

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

Clinical Experience
Attend, engage and learn in a full-time clinical environment as part of a sports medicine team. Draw all facets of clinical skillset and knowledge learned to date, and apply it in a real world clinical setting with the supervision and support of a professional clinician.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Peter Brukner and Karim Khan: 2018, Clinical sports medicine,, 4th Edition, McGraw Hill, 978-007099813
Chad Starkey, Jeffrey L. Ryan: 2009, Examination of Orthopedic and Athletic Injuries, 3rd Edition, F.A. Davis Company, 978-080361720
Richard Ray, Jeff Konin: 2019, Management Strategies in Athletic Training, 5th Edition, Human Kinetics, 9781492536185

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None