FBMPLB: Practice-based Learning B

Module code: FBMPLB

Module provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 60

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Summer (vacation) semester

Module convenor: Mrs Dorothy Balhatchet , email: d.h.balhatchet@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Mini placement

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 11 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Within this work-based learning placement module, you will be able to translate theory into practice in acute/ community clinical settings. You will develop your confidence in obtaining information from service users and give accurate dietary advice. You will also develop skills in collecting, assessing and recording information to complete a comprehensive assessment, as well as interpersonal and social skills to facilitate communication with service users and health care professionals both on an individual basis and in a group. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Effectively communicate with service users and other health professionals  
2. Collect, assess and record information to complete a comprehensive assessment in accordance with the model and process care planning process  
3. Plan and justify dietary advice for service users including addressing barriers and planning appropriate review  
4. Maintain professional skills and practises in line with the Health and Care Professions Council Standards for conduct, performance and ethics

Module content

The module is a practical dietetic placement involving a 12-week clinical placement (Placement B). Within this work-based learning module students will begin to apply theoretical knowledge and develop a range of skills needed to work as a dietitian. Placement B takes place during the first year of the PGT MSc in Dietetics and will be primarily spent at an acute/ community healthcare setting  between the period of June – August) for 12 weeks. Through this module students will build on their knowledge, skills and professional abilities in order to become a registered dietitian. They will work with different patient groups and clinical conditions and be able apply their theoretical knowledge to practice as well as practice communication skills in individual and group settings and feedback to their dietitian supervisors. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will primarily take place at the placement provider setting (NHS Trusts) allowing opportunities to practise and demonstrate relevant skills such as information gathering, communication skills, record keeping, analysing gathered information to complete a patient consultation as per the British Dietetic Association Model and process of dietetic practice. Students will work with a range of other health professionals within a multidisciplinary setting to develop team working skills which will support future interprofessional elements of modules and working as part of a team in a healthcare setting. 

Study hours

At least 5 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

This module is marked on a pass/fail basis. Students must pass each item of assessment to pass the module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Level 3 (i.e. foundation modules for Part 0) and Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Written and verbal feedback provided during the 12-week clinical placement by trained dietetic clinical supervisors 

Individual debrief with personal tutor following completion of all elements of Placement B 

Reassessment

Additional costs