1. Analyse how disease processes alter human physiology across the age range.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Analyse the pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetic impact of paramedic Patient Group Directions (PGD) drugs

Knowledge & Understanding

3. Interpret the physical and psychological impact of disease processes on pre-hospital patient presentations to inform clinical decision-making

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

4. Articulate the relevant legal, ethical and professional guidelines governing the use, administration and management of medicines within paramedic practice

Knowledge & Understanding

Assessment 1

Structured Short Answer Questions

Examination

Weighting: 50%

Assesses module learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3.

This on-campus, written assessment requires you to complete a series of structured short answer questions that evaluate your understanding of disease mechanisms, the resulting alterations in human physiology across the age range, and the clinical implications for pre-hospital presentations. You will also analyse the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of medicines used under paramedic Patient Group Directions (PGDs). Responses must demonstrate the integration of bioscientific knowledge with clinical reasoning, showing how physiological and pathological processes inform assessment and decision-making in paramedic practice. This examination is performed under exam conditions.

Rationale:

Short answer questions allow for targeted assessment of applied bioscience knowledge, providing a structured method for demonstrating analytical understanding of disease processes, drug actions and the clinical manifestations relevant to pre-hospital care.

Assessment 2

Professional Essay on PGD Drugs

Weighting: 50%

Assesses module learning outcome 4.

You will produce a 1,500-word essay that articulates the legal, ethical and professional frameworks governing the use, administration and management of medicines in paramedic practice. This includes critical discussion of legislation, PGD governance, professional accountability, documentation, safe administration principles, and medicines management responsibilities. You will be expected to integrate contemporary guidance, such as national PGD standards, professional expectations, and relevant ethical considerations.

Rationale:

This assessment enables you to demonstrate clear, informed understanding of the legal and professional boundaries within which paramedics administer medicines. The essay format encourages structured, critical engagement with governance frameworks and supports the development of professional accountability in clinical decision-making.

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.

Content is aligned to the HCPC Standards of Proficiency (2023) and the College of Paramedics Curriculum Framework (2024), building on Level 4 foundations to prepare students for higher-level supervised practice.

Deepen your understanding of how disease and medicines shape pre-hospital patient care.

This module explores how pathological processes alter human physiology across the lifespan and how these changes affect clinical presentation in the pre-hospital environment. You will analyse the actions and metabolism of paramedic PGD medicines and examine the legal, ethical and professional frameworks governing safe medicines management. By integrating bioscience, pharmacology and clinical reasoning, this module strengthens your ability to interpret complex patient presentations and supports the development of safe, accountable decision-making in paramedic practice.

Learning on this module focuses on developing an advanced understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacology to support safe, evidence-informed paramedic decision-making. Teaching will be delivered through a combination of lead lectures, seminars, case-based discussions and guided independent study, enabling you to explore disease processes, drug actions and the interplay between physiology and clinical presentation.

Interactive activities will encourage you to interpret real-world scenarios, analyse patient deterioration and understand the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles underpinning paramedic PGD medicines. Digital learning resources within the VLE will introduce key concepts ahead of taught sessions, allowing contact time to focus on applying theory to complex clinical situations.

Workshops and case reviews will support your ability to synthesise pathophysiological mechanisms with clinical observations, while discussions centred on legislation, ethics and professional standards will prepare you for the accountable use of medicines in practice. Throughout the module, reflective tasks and formative feedback will enhance your critical thinking and promote confident, safe decision-making in pre-hospital care

Brown, L. (Ed.) (2023). Essentials of Paramedic Care. Class Professional Publishing.

A comprehensive UK text covering pathophysiology, mechanisms of disease, clinical presentation, and underpinning principles of pharmacology in pre-hospital care. Ideal for MLO1–3.

Craft, J., Gordon, C. & Tiziani, A. (2020; UK reprint 2022). Understanding Pathophysiology. Elsevier.

A clear, clinically focused introduction to how disease processes alter physiology across the lifespan. Excellent for supporting MLO1 and MLO3.

Lilley, L., Collins, S., Snyder, J. & Nabhani-Gebara, S. (2020). Pharmacology and Medicines Management for Nurses (UK Edition). Pearson.

Provides strong grounding in pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, legal frameworks, and safe medicines administration. Directly aligns to MLO2 and MLO4.

Peate, I. & Evans, G. (2021). Fundamentals of Applied Pathophysiology (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.

UK-focused text linking clinical signs and symptoms to underlying pathophysiology. Particularly strong for interpreting pre-hospital presentations.

College of Paramedics. (2024). Paramedic Curriculum Guidance (6th ed.). College of Paramedics.

Defines national expectations for pharmacology knowledge, medicines governance, professional responsibilities, and disease understanding in paramedic practice.

VLE - Blackboard (Virtual Learning Environments).

Microsoft Teams

Simulation Centre

Hi Fidelity Simulation Equipment

Classrooms.

Library support.

Academic Mentor support.

Group tutorials.

Lectures.

Seminars.