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BEH3021

Paramedic management of health conditions at life stages ( 9 points, SCA Band 2, 0.188 EFTSL)

Undergraduate
(MED)

Leader: TBA

Offered:
Peninsula First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit continues to develop the role of the paramedic as a clinician using the model of paramedic clinical competence developed in BEH2031. The unit covers commonly encountered chronic, acute, and life threatening clinical problems at various life stages. The unit will be case-based and will include clinical skills laboratory and simulation scenarios to develop essential clinical skill, clinical problem solving and decision-making competencies in general care, basic and advanced life support. The unit will be supplemented by the clinical placement units BEH3031 and BEH3041.

Objectives: By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to: 1. explain the evidence-base of the Paramedic management of acute health conditions at life stages; 2. describe the underlying principal features related to body structure and function as they apply to selected acute health conditions at the life stages as applied to paramedic practice; 3. describe the epidemiology, population health, natural history and pathology related to acute and emergency health conditions at life stages commonly encountered in paramedic practice; 4. describe the clinical highlights of selected acute health conditions at life stages commonly encountered in paramedic practice; 5. demonstrate the required standard in each of the core practical skills expected at the basic and advanced life support level relating to the assessment and care of patients with acute health conditions at life stages encountered in paramedic practice; 6. outline and explain the rationale of the paramedic clinical practice guidelines in the care of patients with acute health conditions at life stages; 7. explain the applied pharmacology of relevant drugs included in the cardio-respiratory Paramedic Clinical Practice Guidelines and that may be encountered in paramedic practice; 8. using the model of paramedic clinical competence, demonstrate the ability of integrate the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to the assessment and management of patients with acute health conditions at life stages in 'real time' work simulation including clinical problem solving and clinical decision making, safety documentation, professionalism, communication and teamwork; 9. explain the range of potential behaviour of self, patients, their carers and bystanders in situations of acute health conditions at life stages in a sociological and culturally sensitive context; and 10. demonstrate an understanding of the special features and trends in the health system relating to prevention and management of patients with acute health conditions at life stages, and describe the benefits of community-based emergency health care and the related role of the Paramedic and other emergency and primary health care team members in such patients.

Assessment: Written examination (3 hours): 40% + Written assignment (2000 words): 40% + Essential practical skills: pass/fail + Case simulation: pass/fail + 4 x worksheets: 20%

Contact Hours: 18 hours per week including contact time, clinical laboratory and scenarios and private study averaged over the 13 week semester - a total of 234 hours. This unit will be taught over 9 weeks to allow for the associated clinical placements.

Prerequisites: BEH2012 and BEH2022