Faculty of Health

Module content

This module aims to increase both depth and breadth of the student's ability to manage proactively acute respiratory deterioration and respiratory problems resulting from long term neuromuscular conditions. This is done through learning activities based around the development of advanced problem solving skills in the assessment and management of respiratory problems. This will be facilitated by workshops in the use of mechanical support and assistive technologies, case based learning in small groups and an emphasis on wider reading of the literature to support choices. 

The module is structured around two main topics

1. The management of respiratory complications of neuromuscular disease is aimed at those wishing to advance their knowledge and skills in this expanding area. 
2. The management of acute respiratory deterioration of patients (on call). It aims to give students understanding and confidence to manage on call and hospital at home scenarios.

Dates

2/3/4 December 2013

Exam within the dates 22/23/24 January 2014

This module can also be taken as CPD only.

Core module for the MSc Physiotherapy (full time)

Programme elective for MSc Physiotherapy (part time), MSc Neurological Rehabilitation, MSc Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare, MSc Pain Science and Management

Module Aims

The module aims to enhance the student's evidence based knowledge in:

1. assessing and planning, delivering and evaluating the care of patients with respiratory complications of neuromuscular disease.

2. assessing and planning, delivering and evaluating the care of acutely ill patients with cardio-respiratory disease or complications in on call and hospital at home situations

Module Learning Outcomes/ Objectives

Critically analyse and evaluate the causes of respiratory complications in neuromuscular disease will be achieved by assessments.
Formulate and communicate / discuss a reasoned clinical diagnosis of the primary cause and contributing factors of acute or chronic deterioration of the respiratory system will be achieved by assessments.
Critically evaluate and synthesise current evidence to support clinical decisions and management choices in the application of respiratory physiotherapy will be achieved by assessments.
Apply assistive technologies in the management of acute and chronic respiratory complications, including lung volume recruitment devices, mechanical insufflator/exsufflator, manual hyperinflations will be achieved by assessments: Select and evaluate appropriate outcome measures for respiratory problems will be achieved by assessments.

Physiotherapy degree at 2:2 and above or equivalent qualification and experience

Learning activities will be based around the development of the student's problem solving skills in the assessment and management of acute and chronic respiratory deterioration.

Respiratory management of neuromuscular disease (NMD), including: introduction to NMD and the possible respiratory complications of NMD; assessment and management of patients with these problems including end of life management; advanced respiratory management skills - e.g. breath stacking, manually assisted coughing and glossopharyngeal breathing; interactive demonstrations of lung volume recruitment bags and mechanical insufflator-exsufflator and domiciliary non-invasive ventilation.

Management of acute respiratory deterioration in hospital setting (on call) and hospital at home, including: role and responsibilities of the physiotherapist working out of hours and alone; assessment and management of acute deterioration; advanced respiratory management skills including suction and manual hyperinflation.

The module will be facilitated by case learning in small groups and there will be an emphasis on wide reading of the literature to support choices.

Teaching

Block sessions:  Lecturers, seminars, discussion sessions, and tutorials.

Assessment

30 minute oral examination in conjunction with a set of predetermined criteria, based on a case study (provided by the module team 6 weeks in advance); 10 days before the examination, students will be required to submit 1000 word account of the clinical reasoning underpinning their diagnosis of the cardio-respiratory problem(s) in the case. The oral examination will explore each student's depth of analysis of the case, clinical reasoning & diagnosis, evaluation of management strategies including assistive technologies and/or complex contexts (eg critical care unit or patient's home), and critically evaluate outcome measures appropriate for the case.