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 ) | $4,018.75 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- PGCertMSM, 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
Post Graduate Administrator
Divisional Services and Administration
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- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website
- Teaching staff
Paper Coordinator: Dr Grant Thompson
Orthopaedic Surgeons within the department:
Dr Amanda Cormack
Dr Karoline (Kalo) Lalahi
Dr George Dehn
Dr Peter Chapman
Academic Coordinator: Dr John Robinson
- 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 5 March to Friday 13 March 2026 (Dates to be confirmed)) plus an introductory Zoom session.
- Textbooks
A comprehensive course manual will be provided to students.
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.
Anatomy text, such as ‘Netter’s Concise Orthopaedic Anatomy’ 2nd edition by Jon C Thompson, Elsevier
- 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
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 | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- PGCertMSM, 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
Post Graduate Administrator
Divisional Services and Administration
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- More information link
- View more information on the Musculoskeletal and Pain Management Programmes website
- Teaching staff
- Paper Co-ordinator: Dr Grant Thompson
- Academic Co-ordinator: Dr John Robinson
- Mr Gordon Burgess
- Dr Tom Sharpe
- Dr Tim Chuang
- Dr Karoline (Kalo) Lalahi
- Dr George Dehn
- Dr Hamish Farquhar
- Paper Structure
This paper is taught through a nine-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 nine-day practical, on-campus course held in Christchurch, New Zealand. The dates are from Thursday 4th March to Friday 12th March, 2027, plus an introductory Zoom session four weeks prior to the start of the on-campus course.
- Textbooks
A comprehensive course manual will be provided to students.
- 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.
Anatomy text, such as:
- ‘Netter’s Concise Orthopaedic Anatomy’ 2nd edition by Jon C Thompson, Elsevier.
- 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