Elements and Performance Criteria

Signs and symptoms of condition may include:
Physical evidence
Behavioural evidence
States of disorder
Test or examination results
Sensations
Onset
Duration
Location
Causation
Ameliorating and aggravating factors
Symptom qualities (intensity, severity, nature of complaint)
Non-verbal signs and symptoms
Functional and pathological disturbances

Patterns may refer to:
Temperaments - humoral theory - eg choleric/sanguine
Constitutional states eg neuresthenic
Syndromes eg adrenal exhaustion
Functional disorders eg functional hypoglycemea
Disease/conditions

Critical aspects of assessment:
Demonstrated ability to interpret investigative findings
Demonstrated differential diagnostic skills
Ability to prioritise presenting conditions
Knowledge of referral process
Establishment of urgency for treatment required

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Perform health assessment
Communicate effectively with clients
Work within a herbal medicine framework

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the body systems
Knowledge of relevant testing and assessment options and procedures
Knowledge of signs and symptoms of disease and disorder/dysfunction
Knowledge of disease process
Ability to apply differential assessment
Knowledge and understanding of types of further investigation available
Demonstrated ability to access and interpret up-to-date information
Ability to write referrals, appraisal letters for insurance companies and other documentation
Knowledge of the contribution of the different schools of thought and historical theories of clinical practice

Resource implications
Resource requirements may include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper-based assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment

Method of assessment
Assessment may include:
Written assignment with practical demonstration
Diagnosis from assessment notes or simulated assessments
Oral questioning
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of diagnostic technique
Short answer tests

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of work conditions. Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations.