Additional Assessment Details:
The summative assessment for this module comprises 3 elements, all of which must be passed.
1. A case study of 3,000 words, which details the history taking and communication skills; assessment approaches and diagnostic tools and interpretation; associated pharmacological utilisation and future care and management of the patient (contributes to meeting LOs 1, 2, 3 and 4)
2. Completion of an on-line NIHSS assessment (contributes to meeting Los 1, 2 and 4)
3. Demonstration of competence at the level of Internalisation (Steinaker & Bell taxonomy) - Pass/Fail (contributes to meeting LO's 3 and 4)

Formative Assessment:
Group work, seminar presentations; feedback on web-based learning materials; group and individual tutorials; feedback from practice mentor/assessor.

This module comprises both theoretical and practical elements and will take an interactive approach. The taught content will include an introduction to Thrombolysis in the acute stage of stroke care, together with the relevant anatomy and physiology of the brain and relevant structures; inclusion and exclusion criteria for Thrombolysis; history taking, including specific questioning; the use of assessment tools and scales (including NIHSS and Rankin scales) neurological assessment and interpretation of CT scan and other diagnostic methodology; issues of consent and capacity to consent, consideration of expert patient experiences and communication with patients; pharmacology, risks and complications, including problem solving approaches, drug calculations and conversions and interactions; exploration of Acute Care Pathways, including patient mapping; secondary prevention, further treatment options, monitoring of the patient after treatment and strategies for managing.

Contact Hours: (45)
20 hours Interactive lectures
8 hours Group work and seminar presentations
15 hours Web based learning package on neurological assessment tools and scales
2 hours Tutorials - negotiated

Independent Study Hours (255)
10 hours Practice to achieve competence
245 hours Independent reading

Internet for web-based learning materials and Blackboard for support materials and linked resources and wider reading.
Laptop/PC and data projector
Library resources
Practice mentor/assessor

Bougoursslavsky J (2003) Acute Stroke Treatment 2nd edition London, Martin Deunitz.
ISBN: 1-84184-078-5
Hankey G (2003) Stroke Treatment and Prevention: An Acute Evidence-Based Approach Cambridge, Cambridge University Press ISBN: 10-0-521-82719-1
Lyden PD (2005) Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Stroke New Jersey, Humana Press Inc.
ISBN: 1-58825-395-X

In order to complete the practice element, the student must have access to a clinical placement where patients who are suffering from acute stroke are cared for.