Continuing from level 5, this module aims to develop existing knowledge by introducing advanced assessment and management of minor injuries and minor illnesses across the age range in the context of paramedic practice. The practitioner will develop the underpinning knowledge and clinical decision-making skills to assist and deliver care at level 6.

The content has been divided into the following categories:

Minor Injuries

This will cover knowledge and understanding of commonly encountered minor injuries and their associated assessment and management of each. We will also cover such areas as:

Evidence-based care for patients suffering from minor injury across the age range
A review of human development and factors which influence susceptibility to injury and responses to treatment
Fundamentals of x-ray interpretation

Minor Illness

Evidence-based care for patients suffering from minor illness across the age range
A review of human development and factors which influence susceptibility to illness and responses to treatment
Fundamentals of Urgent and Primary Care Services
Examine the risk stratification and self-care strategies applicable to pre-hospital practice

The assessment for this module is divided into two parts.

MCQ and Short Answer Paper

This will be an examined paper which contains 50% MCQ and 50% short answer questions relating to both the underpinning knowledge of minor injuries and minor illness, and the fundamentals of managing conditions. (Learning Outcomes 1 and 4).

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The practical element of this module will be examined via two 30 minutes sessions of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3).

1. Minor Injury – This will require students to demonstrate assessment techniques appropriate to examining patients presenting with a minor injury. Students will be expected to assess a patient presenting with one of several conditions, conduct appropriate investigations, demonstrate appropriate enquiry and history taking, provide a working diagnosis and discuss/initiate treatment as appropriate.

2. Minor Illness – This will require students to demonstrate assessment techniques appropriate to examining patients presenting with a minor illness. Students will be expected to assess a patient presenting with one of several conditions, conduct appropriate investigations, demonstrate appropriate enquiry and history taking, provide a working diagnosis and discuss/initiate treatment as appropriate.

Learning will consist of lead lectures, debates, seminars, pre-recorded content, and practical skill sessions. This will also be supplemented by online study materials.

Online materials will be used to introduce subject areas and will be delivered through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE). This will then be built upon through lead lectures.

Incorporated into these will be tasks and activities, which will help to form the basis of face-to-face tutorial sessions to reinforce learning.

Due to the complex nature of the subject matter, there will be a heavy emphasis on discussion and debate within lectures and tutorial sessions. This will facilitate full exploration of the topic and allow students to develop and evaluate their own opinions and perspectives on the key issues.

Specialist guest lectures, service users and carers will also be included to give students an in-depth professional and personal experience of key subject areas.

Students will also be expected to undertake self-study on this module, comprising approximately 120 hours. Guidance on which issues and areas to look at will be provided, but this study is designed to help expand their knowledge and appreciation for the key subject matters and allow time to work on and develop their assignment.

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects, including acquisition of detailed knowledge of the assessment and management of patients presenting with minor illness and minor injuries, across the lifespan.
Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis, Communication.

2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of the use of pharmacological strategies and use complex decision making when advising patients with minor illness or injury.

Knowledge and Understanding, Problem Solving.

3. Deploy established and appropriate techniques to obtain, assimilate and document information from a patient’s history and physical examination and use this to inform complex decision making to produce a treatment plan.

Analysis, Problem Solving, Communication.

4. Demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed underpinning knowledge of a range of minor illness and injury presentations.

Knowledge and Understanding, Application.

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

Bickley, L. (2016) Bates Guide to Physical Examination and History taking 12th Edn. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

Douglas, G., Nicol, F., Robertson, C. (2013) Clinical Examination 13th Edn. London: Elsevier.

Johnson, G., Hill-Smith, I. (2012) The Minor Illness Manual 4th Edn. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis.

Purcell, D. (2016) Minor Injuries: A Clinical Guide 3rd Edn. Abingdon: Taylor and Francis.

Randall, S., Ford, F. (eds.) (2011) Long-Term Conditions: A Guide for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Enrolled on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science.

In this module you will develop your assessment and management skills further to be able to better assess and manage patients with a range of less critical complaints, at home. This includes topics such as the assessment and management of minor injuries and minor illnesses, as well as specialist teaching on areas such as x-rays and mental health.