Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Paramedics are regularly required to assist patients who have suffered traumatic injury and injury and illness due to environmental conditions. Trauma is the largest killer of people under 45 years of age. The community expects its ambulance service to provide the highest level of trauma care available and integrate its strategies with state and national trauma plans. Trauma is considered a 'surgical disease' with the surgeon providing definitive care. Traumatic injury follows road traffic accidents, industrial accidents, accidents in the home and on the sporting field. Unfortunately there is an element of interpersonal violence that can also cause traumatic injury. Environmental injury and illness can result in isolation or in combination with trauma and/or medical conditions.

Aims

The aims of this unit are for you to consider and manage the effects of trauma and environmental emergencies. Further to this you will be asked to consider its impact on the ageing population and to develop a knowledge and understanding relevant to traumatic injury and environmental illness and emergencies in the out of hospital phase. The development of relevant clinical skills in order to manage patients presenting with traumatic and environmental related emergencies is a central aim, along with the development of clinical reasoning skills that underpin the management of patients suffering from trauma and environmental conditions.

Objectives

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

1. An appreciation of national and international epidemiology of trauma and environmental conditions, trauma Systems, trauma prevention and trauma scoring.


2. An understanding of controversies in the management of trauma.


3. Management of the elderly trauma patient and how ageing impacts on the diseases processes outlined in this unit.


4. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology relating to trauma and environmental conditions.


5. Clinical skills and appropriate clinical management strategies for patients suffering severe trauma and environmental illness and injury.


6. Knowledge of integrated and definitive care for patients suffering traumatic and environmental emergencies.


7. Ability to search and critically evaluate both your clinical practice and information from a variety of sources using effective strategies and appropriate technologies to improve patient care.


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

Content

1. Epidemiology of trauma and environmental conditions


2. Trauma systems


3. Neurotrauma


4. Spinal Cord Injury


5. Chest Trauma


6. Abdominal Trauma


7. Pelvic and Limb Trauma


8. Trauma in the Elderly


9. Shock and crush injury


10. Burns


11. Wound Ballistics


12. Shock and Fluid Resuscitation


13. Heat and cold injury/illness


14. Dysbarism

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Core theory will be presented by QAS and QUT personnel, and visiting medical specialists 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: Clinical Examination
Description: You will be required to demonstrate patient care in a simulated environment and/or as in as a Viva Voce.
Relates to objectives: The learning outcomes the assessment relates to 1 to 14.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

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 to 14.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Assessment (written)
Description: You will be required to complete an academic abstract and poster.
Relates to objectives: The learning outcomes the assessment relates to learning outcomes 1 to 14.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 5

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

Queensland Ambulance Service, (2011), Clinical Practice Manual, Brisbane, Department of Emergency Services

Cameron P (Ed.) (2010) Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine, (3rd ed.) Edinburgh. Churchill Livingstone

Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) 2011 (7th ed.)St Louis, Missouri: MosbyResource Materials Guidance Box

Risk assessment statement

You will be required to undertake simulated exercises as part of your practice and assessment. This will involve exposure to medical sharps, defibrillators and may involve lifting. Before commencing this unit you should review and practise 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