First Contact Practitioner 2: Primary Care Practice
Everything you need to know
- Start date: June 2028
- End date: December 2028
- Module leader: David Alderson
- Level: 7
- Credits: 15
Introduction
This module will facilitate your development of complex reasoning and decision-making skills focused towards working in primary care or first contact roles.
This will include the development of personalised care approaches with advanced communication skills, critical assessment and investigation to offer service users focused prevention, intervention and management of complex conditions.
Who is this course/module for?
- Qualified MSK health professionals
- Practitioners developing musculoskeletal assessment and management skills
- Those working in first contact or primary care roles
- Those working in or towards enhanced or advanced practice roles
What you’ll learn
Learners will develop high-level personalised, person-centred MSK skills in relation to the musculoskeletal setting. It will strengthen diagnostic reasoning and complex decision-making in primary care/ first contact roles. Students will explore communication approaches, clinical assessment and masqueraders in the uncertain musculoskeletal healthcare setting. All learning will be underpinned by critical engagement with contemporary literature and research, strengthening your ability to apply evidence-based practice and contribute to professional knowledge.
Skills you’ll gain
- Identifying and assessment red flags and mental health risk in primary care
- Understanding the role for wider determinants of health on clinical practice
- Advancing consultation skills
- Understanding the MSK roadmap to practice and the First Contact Practice 2: Primary care portfolio
How you’ll learn
You’ll learn through a mix of practical and theory based sessions, focussing on development of applied musculoskeletal skills. You will be required to be self-motivated with independent study (under guidance). You will often work in physical or remote groups, with frequent opportunities for peer and formative assessment. You will need to work with an appropriately qualified mentor, who will support you in developing a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your clinical competence
Fees and Funding for 2026/27
| Indicative price for stand-alone module |
Home student: £915 EU / International students: £930 - The University cannot sponsor a Student Visa for CPD modules. However, if you already have permission to study in the UK, you can apply. If you’re unsure whether your visa allows this, please contact the International Experience Team at hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk to discuss your options. |
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| How to apply |
You can apply for this module using our online admissions form. After you have registered or logged in, select the module title under "Please choose your first module". |
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Entry requirements
Applicants will hold a first degree or professional qualification which is recognised in the UK in a related health care subject.
Applicants must usually have 24 months full time (or equivalent part time) experience managing and treating musculoskeletal dysfunction and normally be working in a relevant role.
Applicants must have completed FCP roadmap stage 1 via a workplace supervisor or, an equivalent FCP module (such as First Contact Practitioner 1 at Sheffield Hallam University, or RMACP completed post-2021). In addition, it is essential that applicants have access to a suitably qualified primary care supervisor and primary care working setting that will allow completion of the 75 hours of supervised clinical practice.
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Attendance
Delivery Method:
Taught on Collegiate Campus. All teaching, learning activities and assessments take place on Collegiate Campus. Sessions are fully timetabled, and student attendance is expected for all scheduled teaching. We will require all non-British and non-Irish students to attend campus for an in-person verification check to comply with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements at the start of their first module.
View our statement on notional study hours »
Provisional timetable
Tutorials will be held on the following dates:
- 26 June 2028
- 10 July 2028
- 24 July 2028
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Assessment
Module assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks. The assessment task(s) for this module are:
- Viva: typically, a combination of a presentation/demonstration to one or more academics, with discussion, questioning and oral feedback
Successful completion of this module will earn you 15 level 7 credits
Further details
For further information please contact the module leader David Alderson - d.alderson@shu.ac.uk