Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

    Overview

    Clinical diagnosis and evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Emphasis is on learning musculoskeletal clinical examination and diagnostic skills, with an evidence-based approach to the use of manual skills and clinical tests. This paper is restricted to medical graduates, and is a prerequisite for MSME709. 9-day on-campus course.

    MSME 701 is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in musculoskeletal clinical diagnostic practice and theory. The teaching will cover the basic anatomy, biomechanics and evidence base for the clinical techniques used in musculoskeletal diagnosis. The paper also covers critical reasoning in medicine, the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal and myofascial pain, the use and interpretation of radiology, and neurology relevant to the diagnosis of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. This paper is restricted to medical graduates and is a prerequisite for MSME 709 Clinical Therapeutics.

    About this paper

    Paper title Clinical Diagnosis
    Subject Musculoskeletal Medicine
    EFTS 0.125
    Points 15 points
    Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $3,576.63
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    Limited toPGCertMSM, PGDipMSM
    Eligibility
    Students must be registered medical practitioners to enrol in this paper. Enrolments for this paper are limited and it requires departmental permission. View more information about limitations of enrolment.
    Contact

    Further information

    Administrator Client Services
    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine
    University of Otago, Christchurch
    PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand
    Tel +64 21 279 1423 
    Email msmandpainstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz

    Teaching staff

    Dr Grant Thompson

    Paper Structure

    This paper is taught through a 9-day on-campus block course so that students can review and refine their clinical examination, investigatory and diagnostic techniques. Students work in small groups with experienced clinical tutors. Some material is provided electronically, or via Zoom, prior to attending the on-campus course.

    This paper covers the following areas:

    • Examination of the musculoskeletal system
    • Clinical interviewing
    • Radiology - evaluating plain x-rays, indications for referral, interpreting reports for patients, special techniques; CT, MRI, ultrasound
    Teaching Arrangements

    This paper centres around a 9-day practical, on-campus course held in Christchurch, New Zealand, (Thursday 7th March 2024 - Friday 15th March 2024) plus an introductory Zoom session.

    Textbooks

    Netter's 'Orthopaedic Clinical Examination' 4th Edition by Joshua Cleland, Shane Koppenhaver and Jonathan Su. Available from the publisher or from Amazon.

     

    Also highly recommended is the Travell & Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction (The Trigger Point Manual) 3rd Edition by Joseph Donnelly.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Lifelong learning, Communication, Ethics, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete the paper will develop:

    • Confidence and expertise in their assessment of musculoskeletal anatomy, biomechanics and musculoskeletal neurology
    • Skills in critical thinking for musculoskeletal diagnosis
    • An understanding of the implications of neurobiological aspects of pain on musculoskeletal examination and diagnosis

    Timetable

    Semester 1

    Location
    Christchurch
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
    Back to top