Overview

This practice-focused module provides a structured and comprehensive overview of heart failure pathophysiology, diagnosis and management for practitioners working with heart failure patients. It will equip practitioners who provide clinical care for patients with heart failure with the skills, knowledge and understanding to more effectively manage this condition. The module is designed to augment, enhance and focus the practitioner's skills on the holistic care of the complexity of a heart failure diagnosis. Linking the practitioner with an appropriate clinical mentor will assist in the acquisition of skills pertinent to the individual needs of the student.

Module aims

This module provides a structured and comprehensive overview of heart failure pathophysiology, diagnosis and management for advanced practitioners in heart failure.

Entry requirements

Hold current first level professional registration with a relevant regulatory body e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); Health Care Professional Council (HCPC). Has experience of managing patients with a Heart Failure diagnosis.

Module content

Module content will include:

• Definition of heart failure and knowledge of epidemiology.
• Guidelines on defining heart failure by ejection fraction.
• Physiological response to left ventricular dysfunction.
• Underlying aetiology, diseases of the myocardium, abnormal loading conditions, arrhythmias.
• National guidelines.
• Natural history of heart failure and prognosis: disease progression and trajectory.
• Understanding that heart failure develops as a consequence of the treatment of other illnesses or other health conditions.
• Understanding the psychological impact from a patients point of view of the heart failure diagnosis.
• Understanding the physical, social and psychological impact of the heart failure diagnosis on patients and their families.
• Understand approach to treatment of patients with heart failure both pharmacological and non-pharmacological.
• Understand the different approach to management based on aetiology as well as ejection fraction.
• The importance of fluid balance managements and strategies for treatment.
• Pharmacological approaches to treating HF patients and the core evidence base around when and which agents to use.
• Use of devices, guidelines for use and when to consider patients.
• Surgical interventions in the treatment of heart failure, revascularisation / valve surgery.
• Nutrition/life style affects on patients with heart failure.
• Advanced therapies and transplant.
• Approaches to follow up and continued monitoring and approaches to end of life care/palliative care.
• Comorbidity management.
• Understanding the patients perspective.

Teaching and assessment

The principal learning and teaching methods used in the module may include:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops: The core of each module delivery mode is a series of online tutor led seminars or workshops
• Web-based learning using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE), Blackboard, MS Teams.
• Group work and peer support. All modules use focused group work and class discussions with online tutor time.
• Assessments will take place in a face to face setting.