Leader: Mr Brett Williams

Offered

Peninsula Second semester 2008 (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 units covers commonly encountered chronic, acute, and life threatening cardio-respiratory clinical problems. The units will be case-based and will include clinical skills laboratory and simulation scenarios to develop essential clinical skills, 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 BEH2032 and BEH2042.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. explain the evidence-base of the Paramedic management of cardio-respiratory conditions;

2. describe the epidemiology, population health, natural history, and pathology related to acute and emergency cardio-respiratory conditions commonly encountered in paramedic practice;

3. describe the clinical highlights and trends in the management of selected cardio-respiratory conditions, commonly encountered in paramedic practice;

4. 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 cardio-respiratory conditions encountered in paramedic practice;

5. interpret common electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythms and waveforms within the scope of paramedic practice;

6. outline and explain the rationale of the paramedic clinical practice guidelines in the care of patients with cardio-respiratory conditions;

7. explain the applied pharmacology of relevant drugs included in the cardio-respiratory conditions Paramedic Clinical Practice Guidelines and that may be encountered in paramedic practice;

8. using the model of paramedic clinical competence, demonstrate the ability to integrate the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to the assessment and management of patients with cardio-respiratory conditions, in 'real time' work simulation including clinical problem solving and clinical decision making, professionalism, safety, documentation, communication and teamwork;

9. explain the range of potential behaviours of self, patients, their carers and bystanders in situations of acute cardio-respiratory conditions in a sociological and culturally sensitive context; and

10. describe the special features and trends in the health system relating to prevention and management of patients with cardio-respiratory conditions, 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 word): 40%
Essential practical skills: pass/fail
Case simulation: pass/fail
4 x worksheets: 20%

Contact hours

18 hours per week including contact time, clinical skills laboratory and scenarios, and private study averaged over the 13 week semester - a total of 234 hours

Prerequisites

BEH2031 or NUR1102

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in Bachelor of Emergency Health(Paramedic)or the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Emergency Health(Paramedic)