Continuing from level 5, this module aims to develop existing knowledge by introducing advanced assessment and management of patients with long term/chronic conditions in the context of paramedic practice. The practitioner will develop their underpinning knowledge and clinical decision-making skills to assist and deliver care at level 6.

The content has been divided into the following categories:

Long-Term/Chronic Conditions

This will encompass assessment, management and treatment of patients with long-term conditions, as well as discussion of key professional, ethical and legal issues relevant to this subject. It will include such areas as:

Evidence-based care for patients suffering from long-term/chronic conditions across the age range
The physical and psychological effects of long-term/chronic conditions
Contextual and integrated care for long-term/chronic conditions, palliative and end-of-life care
The assessment and management of pain
Polypharmacy associated with long-term and chronic conditions
Holistic approaches to palliative care, long-term/chronic illness, and end-of-life care
Recognition of imminent and irreversible death and appropriate and supportive care which involves the preferences of service-users
Home management of illness or referral which considers individual preferences
Procedural, legal and ethical aspects of advance care planning
Evidence-based, justifiable and ethical management plans

Professional Issues

This will involve in-depth discussion of key professional issues encountered across the spectrum of patients and emergency situations. This will include areas such as:

Medicines management & pharmacological interventions associated with advancing paramedic care
Human factors
Multidisciplinary team, interprofessional and collaborative working
Factors affecting health and disease, healthcare and its delivery (incorporating psychosocial, cultural and spiritual aspects)
Recognising and initiating appropriate care for vulnerable service-users
Critical interpretation of physiological data acquisition and awareness of limitations
Alternative pathways, referral and safety-netting
Local healthcare systems and care pathways
Scope of practice and appropriate referrals

We will also review some key issues encountered earlier in the course and encourage more in-depth discussion and consideration appropriate to Level 6. This will include areas such as communication, health promotion, wider determinants of health, loss & bereavement, and team working.

Written Assignment- (Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3).

Students will complete a 2000-word written assignment exploring a long term/chronic illness within the context of collaborative care. They will draw on contemporary evidence to support their discussion, and will critically analyse the assessment, management and collaborative care of service users, with their chosen condition.

Learning will consist of lead lectures, debates, seminars, and pre-recorded content. This will 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 160 hours. Guidance on which issues and areas to look at will be provided, but this study is designed to help expand knowledge and appreciation for the key subject matters, and to allow time to work on and develop the assignment.

1. Critically analyse the principles of the assessment and management of service-users presenting with a long-term/chronic condition.
Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis, Learning, Enquiry.

2. Critically evaluate the management of patients with long term/chronic conditions, in the context of collaborative care.
Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis.

3. Demonstrate the ability to use evidence-informed and justifiable clinical decisions relating to the treatment, management, and referral of patients with long term/chronic conditions.
Analysis, Problem Solving, 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.

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 patients with long term conditions both as a primary complaint and in the context of other illnesses.