Effective consultations (digital)

Effective consultations (digital): examination, diagnosis, and management of musculoskeletal presentations

CPD points: 8
Length: Four weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours
Time: 7-9pm
Start dates: Thursday 5 November 2026 | Book your place Wednesday 3 March 2027 | Book your place
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
Aim: Improve primary care consultation skills for MSK presentations
Cost: £95 

Key learning objectives

• To demonstrate a positive, confident approach to MSK consultations, informed by the common presentation of MSK conditions in primary care.
• To differentiate key elements of MSK history taking, including red flags and psychosocial factors.
• To describe key MSK examination techniques and their clinical purpose.
• To list the essential elements of an explanation for osteoarthritis and other MSK conditions.
• To construct an appropriate MSK management plan.
• To select suitable signposting options to support patient self-management.

Next training: Starting Thursday 5 November, 7-9pm (occurring weekly over 4 weeks)  | Book your place

Course information

This four‑week digital course builds confidence and capability in conducting effective musculoskeletal consultations in primary care. It provides health and care professionals with clear, decluttered approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and communication across common MSK presentations.  

Musculoskeletal symptoms such as knee pain, shoulder problems, sciatica, back pain, and other lower and upper limb presentations can be challenging to assess remotely or within busy primary care settings, particularly when uncertainty is high.   

This interactive course offers a holistic, structured approach to MSK consultation that supports clearer decision‑making and improved patient experience. Designed for anyone undertaking MSK consultations in primary care, it focuses on practical consultation strategies that can be applied to real‑world conditions and presentations.  

The course is delivered online through a series of four weekly evening webinars, each lasting approximately 2 hours. Sessions combine interactive teaching with opportunities for discussion, explanation practice, and collaborative problem‑solving.  

Learners are encouraged to engage actively through chat and microphone, with cameras preferred to support interaction. Optional homework tasks follow each session to embed learning and build towards the next week.   

Learners receive a digital course handbook, course slides, video resources, a certificate of completion, and 8 CPD points. The course is BSR endorsed. 

Register your interest

If the current live course dates are unsuitable for you, please email us to be added to our waiting list, and to be informed when any new dates become available. Please email ProfessionalEngagement@arthritis-uk.org with the subject line: ‘I'm interested: Effective Consultations (digital)’