Overview – Recap and expansion from Level 4.

Pathophysiology

* Exploration of the pathophysiology associated with body systems including respiratory, cardiovascular neurological, gastrointestinal, endocrine and genitourinary (including renal). This will incorporate a review of key anatomy and physiology where necessary, and in-depth examination of a wide range of pathophysiological conditions commonly encountered in prehospital emergency care.

* Throughout this, you will be exploring some of the changes across the age-range and during pregnancy which may affect normal physiology. Not only will you look at the pathophysiological conditions, but also the clinical features commonly encountered with those conditions and the impact they may have on the patient.

Pharmacology

* Throughout the module, you will also be increasing your knowledge of drug legislation including medicines management and legal frameworks. You will explore the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and how they apply to drugs administered and encountered by paramedics across a range of patients.

* In addition, you will be exploring the effects of some of these drugs and how they may be affected by pathophysiological conditions spanning the age range, as well as learning about how to recognise and manage adverse drug reactions. You will also be critically analysing polypharmacy, evaluating how drugs can interact and the impact upon the patient.

This module will run alongside Clinical Assessment and Management in Paramedic Practice.

1. Multiple Choice Question examination, based on Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (Covers all Learning Outcomes).

2. Short Answer Question examination paper based on Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (Covers all Learning Outcomes).

These exams will occur at the end of the teaching block and will over all learning outcomes

Each component is weighted at 50%, with both assessments needing to be passed at 40% to achieve an overall pass for the module.

A formative examination will be conducted prior to the summative assessment, allowing the students to gauge their knowledge and provide feedback on their progress.

Throughout the module, key theory content will be delivered through a combination of lead lectures and seminars that are additionally supplemented by online materials. Most of the content will be delivered by the paramedic teaching team. however, specialist guest lecturers may be brought in to cover some key subjects and provide alternative perspectives on specific areas of clinical practice.

Tutorial support will be available for students throughout the module, and group work will also be utilised to encourage collaborative learning.

Students are expected to conduct their own independent study to consolidate their learning and prepare for assessment points. Supplementary learning materials will be made available on the university Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to help direct this study, and to assist with revision.

1 Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology applicable to paramedic practice.

University Learning Outcome: Knowledge and Understanding, Application

2. Demonstrate understanding of homeostasis, homeostatic imbalance and clinical presentations, across the lifespan.

University Learning Outcome: Knowledge and Understanding, Application

3. Demonstrate understanding of medicines management and legislation, and the ability to apply them to paramedic practice.

University Learning Outcome: Application, Analysis, Learning, Problem Solving

4. Analyse the principles of applied pharmacology and therapeutic interventions as they apply to Paramedic practice.

University Learning Outcome: Analysis, Problem Solving, Application

VLE (Virtual Learning Environments).
Classroom.
Library support.
Academic Mentor support.
Group tutorials.
Lectures.
Seminars.

Galbraith, A. (2017) Fundamentals of pharmacology: an applied approach for nursing and health, London: Routledge.

Kibble , J. D. and Halsey, C. R. (2019) The Big Picture: Medical Physiology, UK: McGraw-Hill.

PEATE, I. Edt. (2018) Fundamentals of Applied Pathophysiology – An Essential Guide for Nursing and Healthcare Students, 3rd Edition, Chichester: John Wiley and sons.

Enrolled on BSc (Hons) of Science in Paramedic Science.

Paramedics are generalist practitioners who respond to a broad range of patients in diverse and changing environments. This module is intended to cover the essential pathophysiology and pharmacology of common emergency presentations for safe and effective care.