PAR-30003 - Older Persons & Frailty
Coordinator: Kevin Armstrong Room: N/A
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733928

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25


Aims
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

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/par-30003/lists

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

1: Poster weighted 40%
Poster Presentation 15 minutes and 5 minutes for questions
Students are to produce a professional poster (suitable for a conference submission) and present (15 minutes), based on the risk factors and assessment of frailty. There will be 5 minutes for questions. You are expected to present your poster to peers and x2 tutors The poster content and presentation skills will be assessed. The presentation will also be recorded for internal and external moderation to ensure fairness and consistency.

2: Case Study weighted 60%
3000 word case study
3000 word case study - students have to analyse the underlying pathophysiology of frailty, the impact of polypharmacy and the risks of illness and injury including management decisions