Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

As a paramedic you will be required to manage patients with acute and life threatening disease from cardiac, respiratory and neurological emergencies. This unit is the first in a series of two paramedic management units that cover some of the most common medical and surgical emergencies seen in Ambulance practice. In the early phases of your clinical experience it is important that you engage in the more common clinical problems enabling you to develop your patient care abilities.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop clinical skills for the management of patients suffering cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological emergencies in preparation for your practice as a beginning level advanced care paramedic. You will able to adopt the clinical reasoning skills that underpin the management of such patients and also consider the impact of ageing in relation to this group of people.

Objectives

On the successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. An understanding of national and international epidemiology of neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.


2. An appreciation of preventative and rehabilitative strategies used for neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.


3. Understanding of integrated and definitive care for patients suffering cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological diseases.


4. An understanding of the pathophysiology relating to neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.


5. Appropriate clinical pharmacology and patient management strategies for neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.


6. How ageing impacts on the diseases processes outlined in this unit.


7. A developing critical reasoning approach to your patient care in association with effective communication and leadership styles.

Content

1. Epidemiology


2. Cardiovascular and respiratory disease prevention


3. Integrated and definitive care


4. Anatomy and physiology of the Cardiovascular and Respiratory system.


5. Pathophysiology of cardiovascular and respiratory disease


6. Cardiovascular and respiratory and Neurological assessment


7. Clinical management of cardiac and respiratory emergencies


8. Rehabilitation

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

On Campus:

Core theory will be presented by QAS and QUT personnel all of whom are experts in the topic areas. Your
learning will be assisted by:

• Lectures and tutorials;


• Small group activities using problem based learning (PBL) strategies;


• Clinical practical skills will be developed with the support of experienced clinical educators;


• Simulation and scenario based activities will allow you to transfer knowledge, skills and clinical problem solving skills into the simulated clinical environment;


• On-line problem based scenarios.

Assessment

There are three assessment items to be completed for this subject.Assessments will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit.

On Campus
Regular opportunities will be made available for you to practice your clinical skills in both supervised (weekly clinical sessions) and unsupervised settings. You will have to demonstrate a satisfactory level of competence in all skills practiced in this unit.

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: A variety of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.
Relates to objectives: The learning outcomes the assessment relates to 1-7.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Assessment (written)
Description: Neurological Protective Agents in Pre-Hospital Care.

The development of a briefing for the MAC/Medical Director 1500 words) with a one page executive summary cover sheet attached. See blackboard for further details.
Relates to objectives: The learning outcomes the assessment relates to 3,4,5 & 7
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Clinical Examination
Description: You will be required to demonstrate and understanding of patient care in a simulated environment, as a skill station and/or in as a Viva Voce.
Relates to objectives: The learning outcomes the assessment relates to 3,4,5,& 7
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Textbooks:
Sanders' Paramedic Textbook. Gregory P, Ward A, editors. London: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010.
(This text will be utilised throughout the course.)

Gregory P, Mursell I. Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures. Chicester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd; 2010.
(This text will be utilised throughout the course.)

Wesley K. Huszar's Basic Dysrhythmias and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Interpretation and Management Text & Pocket Guide Package. 4th ed.: Mosby; 2011.

Queensland Ambulance Service. The 12 Lead ECG in Paramedic Practice (Resource Book & Book of 12 Lead ECGs). QUT 2012 ed. Brisbane: QUT; 2012.

Queensland Ambulance Service. Clinical Practice Manual. Brisbane: Queensland Ambulance Service;
(Lecturer will provide details on current version required).

Queensland Ambulance Service. ACP Pocket Book. Brisbane: Queensland Ambulance Service;
(Lecturer will provide details on version required).

Queensland Ambulance Service. Drug Therapy Protocols. Brisbane: Queensland Ambulance Service;
(Lecturer will provide details on current version required).

Recommended Text:

Cameron P, Jelinek G, Kelly A-M, Murray L, Brown AF. Textbook of adult emergency medicine. 3rd ed.Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009.
(This text is recommended and is utilised for this and other paramedic subjects.)

Online resources:
The Department of Community Safety's (DCS) DES Portal site and the Learning Management System (LMS).

Equipment and personal protective clothing:
The following equipment will be required for tutorial throughout the course. Advice will be given by your lecturer at the beginning of the semester:

• Stethoscope;


• Watch with second hand or display.

A5 ring binder and plastic inserts - students will be required to compile a living reference of current prehospital skill sheets, drug therapy protocols and clinical guidelines based on QAS practice. This resource will be required at every tutorial.

Personal protective equipment will be available as required during tutorials.

Details on purchasing uniforms and personal protective equipment for clinical placements will be provided by your lecturer.

Risk assessment statement

The role of student paramedic can be hazardous. You will be required to undertake observations an operational crew responding to emergency calls. There is regular exposure to high speed driving, heavy lifting, body fluids, medical sharps, defibrillators and sometimes, aggressive patients in this off campus phase of the unit. During the on campus phase the risk is minimised and only simulated exercises are conducted. While undertaking this unit you should review the industry Occupational Health and Safety guidelines that protect qualified staff and students in day-to-day practice.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 31-Oct-2012