CVR8024 : Introduction to Clinical Engineering
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr James Blake
- Owning School: School of Medical Education
- Teaching Location: Mixed Location
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Introduce the student to the principles of the clinical engineering function in an NHS organisation.
Outline Of Syllabus
The hospital as a system:
• Consideration of patient pathways.
• Non-clinical support services and their roles.
The clinic as a system:
• Referral pathways.
• Clinic allocation.
• Treatment selection.
• Measurement of outcome.
An introduction to medical device regulations and standards.
An introduction to risk assessment.
An introduction to physiological measurement.
Medical device lifecycle.
Good clinical practice:
• The role of the clinical engineer in the multidisciplinary team.
• Consent.
• Clinical and research ethics.
Good Scientific Practice
• Scientific reflection.
• Standards of proficiency for the clinical scientist (HCPC)
Capturing patient preferences.
The principles of clinical governance.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Physiological measurement system |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Written lab report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:30 | 9:00 | Present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Present in person |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 39:00 | 39:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Present in person |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
We will use small-group teaching to introduce a number of the core concepts described in the curriculum. These include: medical device regulations; risk assessment; and the device lifecycle.
The principles of physiological measurement will be taught in one-to-one or one-to-few practical workshops. These are supported by an existing series of course notes and other existing training materials (videos).
Assessment will be by a practical session: to set up and use a simple physiological measurement system for a clinical ‘experiment’. An accompanying report from the student will cover the regulatory, ethical and GCP aspects of the experiment.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 50 | Set up a simple physiological measurement addressing a clinical research question. 2 hours. |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 50 | Practical/Lab report: To cover the regulatory, medico-ethical and other wider aspects of the lab exercise. 1000 words. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The ambition of this module is to equip the students with some appreciation of the wider aspects of running a clinical measurement service in a research setting. The assessments will test their theoretical understanding and ability to apply the knowledge practically, in an open-book setting. This is the closest model for how the knowledge is likely to be used in a future career in the clinical sciences.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: