PAR-30003 - Module Specification
School of Medicine
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

Paramedic practice continues to evolve to meet modern challenges in the UK health system. The ageing population of the UK and the complexity of health and illness through an ever-increasing life expectancy requires practitioners capable to deliver safe and effective care to a diverse range of elderly service users. There is a need to identify strategies to support older people both in the healthcare system and in managing their own health.
This module seeks to provide students with an understanding of normal patterns of ageing and how physical or mental illness impacts on the older person taking into account social and cultural aspects of care. Throughout the MSci Paramedic Science programme students will critically reflect on their own practice, explore inter-agency working taking into account legal aspects to enable the development of strategies for effective holistic care that is evidence-based and supports the needs of an older population.

The changing demographics of an ageing population causes an ever-increasing demand for healthcare professionals to be able to provide safe and effective care to a culturally and socially diverse elderly population who often have complex and multiple co-morbidity healthcare needs.
This module provides the opportunity to explore the impact of frailty and the underlying pathophysiological changes alongside a range of other age-related conditions and to further develop assessment, management and clinical decision-making skills. The module encourages students to develop their existing knowledge and experience from clinical practice by critically evaluating arguments and assumptions to make sound judgements of appropriate clinical care to the elderly population.
Content linked to the College of Paramedic Curriculum Guidance (CoP, 2019), the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Paramedic (HCPC, 2014) and QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Paramedics (QAA, 2019)
College of Paramedics
Normal anatomy and physiology
ILO 1 & Indicative Content
C1.1.4, C1.1.5,
Pathophysiology
ILO 1 & Indicative Content
C1.1.6, C1.1.7, C1.1.8, C1.1.9
Pharmacology
Indicative Content
C1.1.10, C1.1.11, C1.1.12, C1.1.13, C1.1.14, C1.1.15, C1.1.16
Human development
Indicative Content
C1.1.17, C1.1.18, C1.1.19, C1.1.20, C1.1.21
Diversity and inclusivity
ILO 3 & Indicative Content
C1.2.1,
Palliative and End of Life Care (EoLC)
Indicative Content
C1.2.11
Health Psychology
C1.2.12, C1.2.13
Communication and history taking
ILO 2 Indicative Content
C1.3.1, C1.3.2, C1.3.3, C1.3.4
Models of patient assessment
ILO 2, 3 & 4 & Indicative Content
C1.3.5
Patient groups
ILO 1, 2, 3 & 4 & Indicative Content
C1.3.6, C1.3.7, C1.3.8
Risk evaluation
ILO 1, 2, 3 & 4 & Indicative Content
C1.3.9, C1.3.10, C1.3.11, C1.3.12, C1.3.13
Intervention and monitoring
ILO 2,3, 4 & 5 & Indicative Content
C1.3.14, C1.3.15, C1.3.16, C1.3.17, C1.3.18, C1.3.19, C1.3.20
Clinical reasoning and decision-making
Indicative Content
C1.3.21, C1.3.22, C1.3.23
Physical assessment skills
ILO 2 & 4 & Indicative Content
C1.3.24, C1.3.25
Legal systems and healthcare law
Indicative Content
C1.4.1, C1.4.2
Health promotion
Indicative Content
C1.5.4,
Health informatics
Indicative Content
C1.5.11
Team working
ILO 3 & Indicative Content
C1.7.13, C1.7.14
Available at: https://collegeofparamedics.co.uk/COP/ProfessionalDevelopment/Paramedic_Curriculum_Guidance.aspx
Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Paramedics:
4.6, 4.8, 5.1, 5.2, 8.3, 8.6, 8.9, 9.1- 9.6, 11.2, 13.1-13.3, 13.7, 13.8, 13.10, 13.11, 14.7, 14.8
Available at:
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/standards/standards-of-proficiency-paramedics/
QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Paramedics:
4.2
ILO 1 & Indicative Content
i, ii, iii,
ILO 2, 3, 4 & 5 & Indicative Content
v, xvi, xviii, xx, xxii, xxiii, xxiv
Available at:
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-paramedics.pdf?sfvrsn=7735c881_4

Intended Learning Outcomes

Analyse the ageing process and the pathophysiological changes in frailty: 2
Critically discuss the impact of polypharmacy for the elderly and frail patient and summarise implications for assessment and management of frailty, trauma and long term conditions in the elderly: 2
Identify and assess the risk factors for and signs of frailty and falls in adults including minority BAME, LGBQT and Learning Disability service users: 1
Evaluate a range of assessment tools that may assist in the detection of frailty: 1
Integrate evidence from a range of sources to discuss appropriate decisions for referrals and alternative care pathways: 2

Study hours

Lead lectures - 40 hours
Case Studies - 20 hours
Synchronised discussions - 10 hours
Seminars - 10 hours
Tutorials - 4 hours
Independent Study 216 hours to include directed reading, research and poster/assessment preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment