Elements and Performance Criteria

Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to other parties being present
Cultural or gender factors

Other health care professional may include:
Doctors
Social workers
Alternative and complementary health practitioners
Counsellors
Podiatrists, physiotherapists

Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for consultation
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
Physical
Emotional
Allergies
Dietary picture
Sleep pattern
Exercise
Leisure activities
Childhood and adult illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical treatment
Medication, supplements and natural remedies - current and previous
Social lifestyle including social drug use
Family history

Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history

Signs of disease/condition may refer to:
Precipitating factors
Relieving factors
Associated manifestations
Indications of stage and status of illness
Symptom qualities
Functional and pathological disturbances

All procedures must be conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements

Other appropriate assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Taking temperature
Taking pulse and blood pressure
Palpation and auscultation
Percussion
External physical examination
Iridology techniques
Skin examination
Urine tests
Assessment of growth (height, weight, head circumference) and development
Overview of system by inquiring about the presence of previously diagnosed organic diseases and functional disorders
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard

Critical aspects of assessment:
Knowledge of physical signs and symptoms of disease
Ability to identify location, stage and characteristics of disease
Knowledge of pathophysiology and disease processes
Demonstrated observation skills
Demonstrated ability to conduct external physical examination
Demonstrated ability to use a range of medical equipment used in external physical examinations
Demonstrated communication skills
Demonstrated respect for practitioner/client/patient boundaries
High precision laboratory and/or radiology tests are requested when required
The minimum number of required additional tests is requested
Knowledge of the cost benefit ratio of special tests or studies
Demonstrated record keeping skills
Ability to detect and record symptoms and signs present including precipitating factors, relieving factors and associated manifestations
Knowledge of and ability to use terminology correct to discipline

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Communicate effectively with clients/patients
Contribute to the control of infection
Work within a herbal medicine framework

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of critical information required for diagnosis and treatment according to herbal medicine framework
Knowledge of anatomical terminology and levels of organisation
Knowledge and understanding of
Anatomical systems including muscoskeletal - including muscles, bones, cartilage, joints, head, upper trunk, upper limb, pelvis, lower limb
Nervous - including peripheral, autonomic and central nervous systems
Cardiovascular including haemopoetic - including vascular system, spleen, heart and pericardium, systemic arteries, systemic veins, portal veins, foetal circulation
Lymphatic - including thoracic viscera, abdominal and pelvic viscera, alimentary tract, urinary and genital systems, trunk and limbs, deep and superficial lymph nodes
Gastrointestinal - including mouth, salivary glands, tongue, pharynx, oesophagus, abdomen and peritoneum, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, biliary system, pancreas
Respiratory - including larynx, trachea, lungs and mediastinum, pleura
Urogenital (reproductive and urinary) and endocrine - including kidneys, ureter and bladder, male genital organs, female genital organs, thyroid, parathyroid glands, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, thymus gland
ENT and special senses - including hearing and equilibration, vision, smell, taste.
Knowledge of physiology including:
General physiology - including cell structure and function, metabolism, levels of organisation in the body
Basic physiology - including physiology of muskoskeletal system - muscles, posture and movement; nervous system - central, peripheral and automatic nervous systems
ENT and other senses - hearing and equilibration, vision, smell, taste
Respiratory system - pulmonary function
Cardiovascular system - heart, circulation
Lymphatic system - lymph, immunity and allergy
Gastrointestinal - motility, secretions, movement of food, digestion and absorption
Urogenital and endocrine - renal function, micturition, extracellular fluid, metabolism, thyroid gland, hormones, and reproduction
Knowledge of biochemistry
Knowledge of symptomology and pathology according to herbal medicine practice
Knowledge of anatomy and physiology according to various stages of life
Knowledge of pathophysiology and disease processes of common clinical diseases and interactivity between them, to the level necessary to support the making of a screening assessment and assessment of the client/patient's condition to support the practice of natural/traditional medicine
Knowledge of pathophysiology and disease processes affecting the nervous system
Central and peripheral nervous tissue, brain, spinal cord and associated nerves, sensory, motor and integrative systems, autonomic nervous system
Endocrine system - thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, pancreas, calcium and bone metabolism, pituitary gland, pineal gland
ENT and special senses - vision, hearing, smell, taste
Respiratory system - pulmonary function, gas transport, regulation of respiration, respiratory adjustments
Cardiovascular system - blood, clotting, erythropoietin, cardiac cycle
Lymphatic system - immunity, allergy
Urogenital system - renal function, fluid balance, male and female reproductive systems, muscoskeletal system - processes affecting joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones
Knowledge of factors affecting transmission of disease and choice of treatments of common infectious diseases
Knowledge of identification of infectious organism, indications, complications, epidemiology, occurrence, mode of transmission, vectors, incubation period, period of communicability, presentation, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention
Knowledge of clinical features and pathophysiology of common bacterial and viral diseases to assess, stage, severity and likely prognosis
Knowledge of relevant testing and assessment options and procedures
Demonstrated physical examination procedures
Application of methods of keeping medical records
Demonstrated ability to understand and discuss medical reports
Ability to use equipment and technology competently and safely
Demonstrated ability to access and interpret up-to-date information
Philosophical approach to diagnosis and treatment
Knowledge of the legal and ethical requirements for confidentiality
Knowledge of time management requirements during consultation
Ability to communicate effectively to gain required information
Knowledge of ethical and legal implications of enquiry

Resource implications
Resource requirements include all the relevant resources commonly used by specific discipline. Specific tools may include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Skilled assessors
Relevant assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment

Method of assessment
Assessment may include:
Observation of performance
Examples of assessment notes
Simulated assignments
Written or verbal short answer tests
Practical demonstrations and exercises
Research work or written reports of observations in a practical setting
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment

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 be on more than one occasion to cover a variety of circumstances.