Unit information: Clinical Practice Portfolio in 2022/23

Unit name	Clinical Practice Portfolio
Unit code	PSYCM0064
Credit points	40
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Kit Pleydell-Pearce
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	School of Psychological Science
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Unit Information

This unit delivers significant elements of the British Psychological Society Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN) formal Practice Dimension which is one of the requirements for entry to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

This unit aims to prepare and advise you on the appropriate construction of your clinical portfolio and prepare you for the demands of a viva.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, a student will be able to:

1. develop knowledge and skills that meet the equivalent standards to the BPS criteria for the Clinical Neuropsychology Practice Dimension.
2. prepare the appropriate construction of the clinical portfolio and meet the demands of a viva.
3. demonstrate comprehension and understanding of the requirements of clinical practice as described in the BPS QiCN Candidate handbook.
4. demonstrate application of knowledge and understanding in the transition to clinical case work and to demonstrate a capacity to translate clinical knowledge to clinical practice.
5. demonstrate analytical skills with respect to the complexities of a patient case history with appropriate understanding of the complex interrelationships between various sources of information. Where appropriate to indicate awareness of uncertainty or incomplete information and the implications of this.
6. in respect of each case, demonstration of a capacity to synthesise all relevant information and present an effective formulation and recommendations for forms of treatment and evaluation of any outcomes associated with these recommendations.
7. demonstrate synthesis of patient case history with published evidence in order to demonstrate evidence-based practice via scholarship.
8. with each case report, demonstrate a systematic evaluation with reference to the evidence base with well-formulated arguments. Appraisal and assessment of each case will be explored within an oral viva in order to ensure that the candidate can demonstrate levels of knowledge and clinical competence deemed sufficient for recommendation of entrance to the UK Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

How you will learn

Virtually all teaching will be via distance learning.

Teaching will include regular group sessions with other clinicians seeking the QiCN practice dimension in which generic and some specific clinical practice issues will be explored.

There will be focused discussions of how to handle the demands of a viva examination and indications of what to expect in these examinations.

There will be sessions dedicated to the writing and construction of case reports in QiCN format (for details see BPS website and links below).

Where relevant clinicians will have 1:1 sessions with clinical tutors in order to discuss specific aspects of their own developing QiCN practice portfolio.

Supervision will ensure that candidates are aware that their portfolio submission meets all competency requirements.

Our team will provide detailed feedback on two of your intended cases. We will also provide you with an opportunity to take part in a practice “mini viva” in order to prepare you for the actual final viva.

Whether you are registered full time or part time, we will conduct a 3-monthly quarterly review of your progress and provide feedback on our perception of your preparedness as the viva approaches. We will comment upon your case log, supervision log and your progress on the six cases.

How you will be assessed

Assessment is based on performance in a viva chaired by two approved members of the BPS Specialist Register. One of these examiners is internal and the second is an external examiner. The assessment is based on:

1. the quality of submitted work
2. the capacity to deal with questions probing knowledge during the viva.

Assessment requires submission of a clinical portfolio to BPS requirements which includes:

• Three 4000 word substantive* case studies: 3x22%
• Three 1000 word formative** case studies: 3x11.3%
• Supervision log: pass/fail
• Clinical Experience log: pass/fail
• Viva: pass/fail

The pass mark is 50%.

All components are must pass for the award of credit.

• Candidates will submit 3 QiCN case studies written specifically for this unit, and these will form the primary basis for viva questions. These are termed “substantive cases.”
• Candidates will submit 3 brief QiCN clinical cases encountered previously which reflect formative experiences and show your ability to reflect and learn from those prior experiences. These are termed “formative cases.” These 1000 word reflections should be presented in conjunction with a 3000 word report based upon earlier case experience. The 3000 word component provides context for the examiners, but is not part of the formal assessment

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PSYCM0064).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.