PAR4304

MICA paramedic management of emergency medical conditions and abnormal behaviour ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Ms Andrea Wyatt

Offered:
Peninsula First semester 2005 (Day)
Peninsula SS-S1 2005 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit will cover the theoretical underpinnings required to develop in the student an appropriate level of knowledge, understanding and skill related to the provision of MICA Paramedic care to the adult population in the circumstances of common and less common medical emergencies. A MICA Paramedic clinical approach, clinical problem solving and clinical decision making model underpins this unit. The student's previous clinical experience is used as the basis for identifying key differences in the advanced life support measures appropriate to these conditions.

Objectives: By the completion of this unit the student should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an ability through self appraisal, feedback and supervised clinical experience, to continue with the process of developing as an interactional professional within the context of managing patients with emergency medical conditions. 2. Understand the application of evidence-based practice to the MICA Paramedic management of emergency medical conditions. 3. Discuss the anatomical and physiological basis of common emergency medical conditions. 4. Recall the pharmacology of relevant drugs included in the adult medical emergency Clinical Practice guidelines; 5. Relate the pathophysiology of common emergency medical conditions to their management; 6. Demonstrate the required clinical skills to be able to implement the adult medical emergency Clinical Practice Guidelines and recognise, assess and manage patients with abnormal behaviour; 7. Demonstrate the ability to integrate the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to the management of the adult patient with an emergency medical condition in 'real time' work simulation using the MICA Paramedic clinical problem solving and clinical decision making model; 8. Describe the benefits of pre-hospital adult medical emergency life support and the related role of the MICA Paramedic; 9. Discuss the epidemiology of emergency medical conditions; 10. Describe the ongoing management of patients with common emergency medical conditions hospital emergency departments; and 11. Discuss how a MICA Paramedic might relate to and co-ordinate with hospital emergency departments.

Assessment: Examinations 75%, Adult Medical Emergency Simulation 25%, Professional Development Pass/Fail

Contact Hours: 104 hours comprising lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and clinical scenarios, self-directed learning materials and WebCT, 20 hours supervised hospital clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Successful applicants must: have a bachelor's degree or equivalent; have a minimum of two years post qualification clinical experience; and be currently qualified Ambulance Paramedics currently employed by an ambulance service. Applicants without a degree will be considered if they have extensive relevant experience.