BEH3011 - Paramedic management of medical conditions

Leader: Mr Bill Lord

Offered

Peninsula First 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 unit explores commonly encountered acute and chronic health emergencies. Using a combination of case-based learning, clinical laboratory work and simulation scenarios, this unit will develop the essential clinical skills, clinical problem solving and decision-making competencies in managing common health emergencies. The unit will be supplemented by the clinical placement units BEH3031 where students will integrate theory with practice.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to: locate and evaluate the evidence-base that informs the paramedic management of acute and chronic medical conditions across the lifespan; describe the epidemiology, population health, natural history, and pathology related to acute and chronic emergency medical conditions commonly encountered in paramedic practice; describe the clinical manifestations of the selected medical conditions commonly encountered in paramedic practice; using the model of paramedic clinical competence, demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to the assessment and management of patients with selected acute and chronic medical emergencies across the lifespan; discuss the physiology of pain and the importance of pain relief as a basic human right for all age groups; identify and use appropriate pain assessment tools for patients across the lifespan, and those with communication difficulties or cognitive impairment; describe the importance, appropriateness and utility of pain interventions performed by paramedics; relate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents used by paramedics to the management of medical emergencies; explain the range of potential behaviours of self, patients, their carers and bystanders in situations of acute medical emergencies in a sociological and culturally sensitive context; describe the special features and trends in health systems relating to prevention of medical emergencies and the management of patients with medical conditions; and describe the roles of paramedics and allied health professionals in providing community-based emergency health care aimed at preventing and managing medical emergencies.

Assessment

Written examination (3 hours): 50%
Written assignment (2000 words): 50%
Objective Structured Clinical Examination: pass/fail

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. This unit will be taught over 9 weeks to allow for the associated clinical placements.

Prerequisites

BEH2012 and BEH2022