BEH3121 - Paramedic management of toxicological and environmental conditions - 2018

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Cameron Gosling

Coordinator(s)

Mr Brian Haskins

Not offered in 2018

Prerequisites

BEH2012, BEH2022 and BEH2152.

Synopsis

This unit continues to develop the role of the paramedic as a clinician by extending clinical examination and decision making skills that were introduced in previous clinical units. The unit covers commonly encountered toxicological and environmental emergencies across the lifespan. The unit will be case based, and will include clinical skills laboratories and simulation to develop essential clinical skills, clinical problem solving and decision making competencies. The scope of the unit includes the development of skills needed to provide effective out-of-hospital care for patients experiencing health emergencies related to toxicological or environmental exposure.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the epidemiology, population health, pathology and clinical manifestations of conditions associated with toxins and environmental exposure encountered in paramedic practice across the lifespan;
  2. Locate and evaluate evidence that informs paramedic clinical practice guidelines used to care for patients with toxicological and environmental conditions;
  3. Demonstrate systematic patient assessment and formulation of a statement describing the individual's alteration in health status;
  4. Demonstrate the planning and implementation of care and accurately document and communicate the care provided;
  5. Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration with patients, families and other members of the multidisciplinary health care team;
  6. Evaluate the appropriateness and efficacy of care in relation to the special needs of patients across the lifespan and the needs of patients, family and carers from Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds;
  7. Relate the pharmacology of drugs and toxins commonly associated with overdose or accidental exposure and antidotes used by paramedics for the management of these conditions;
  8. Reflect on the diagnostic reasoning, clinical problem solving and clinical decision making processes that influence the care of patients with toxicological and environmental conditions in order to evaluate and justify management decisions and identify threats to patient safety;
  9. Describe the special features and trends in the Australian health system relating to prevention and management of health emergencies related to toxins or environmental exposure.

Assessment

  • Poster (30%)
  • Mid-semester exam (1 hour) (20%)
  • Final exam (2 hours) (50%) (Hurdle)
  • OSCE (Pass / Fail) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

6 hours per week involving lectures, tutorials, simulation, clinical laboratory and small group exercises.

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study