Faculty of Health

This module aims to provide participants with effective frameworks for planning, delivering and evaluating care packages for patients with chronic conditions, based on the National Service Frameworks and the principles of clinical governance. It explores the natural history, impact and outcomes of chronic disease, using cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and diabetes as models. Multidisciplinary and holistic approaches are emphasized, including the importance of empowering patients.

The module aims to provide participants with effective frameworks for planning, delivering and evaluating care packages for patients with chronic conditions, based on the National Service Frameworks and the principles of clinical governance.

The module is aimed at graduate health professionals, or equivalent with related work experience, normally based in primary care.

Small group learning to include:

• Problem-based learning to explore clinical, epidemiological, ethical and social aspects of the index conditions
• Exploration of the role of different health professionals, care providers and other statutory and voluntary agencies in managing chronic conditions
• Knowledge and implementation of National Service Frameworks
• Development of appropriate clinical skills, such as spirometry, ambulatory BP monitoring, etc
• Patient education and empowerment

Teaching

Small group learning to include:

• Problem-based learning to explore clinical, epidemiological, ethical and social aspects of the index conditions
• Exploration of the role of different health professionals, care providers and other statutory and voluntary agencies in managing chronic conditions
• Knowledge and implementation of National Service Frameworks
• Development of appropriate clinical skills, such as spirometry, ambulatory BP monitoring, etc
• Patient education and empowerment

Module session dates:

2, 3 October 2012 and 4, 5 December 2012

Assessment will be based on two assignments, each contributing 50% to the overall mark:

1)    Development of a practice protocol or critique of an existing protocol for management of a chronic condition, with suggestions for change if necessary (e.g. protocols involved in management of cardiovascular or respiratory disease or epilepsy). This should include reference to an appropriate evidence base. (Guideline 1500-2000 words)

2)    This is a piece of work involving some aspect of care for patients with long term conditions. It could be an audit, literature review or project the student is working on. The work should be referenced to current literature and include comparisons of this piece of work to evidence based practice and current best practice. The work should include some analysis of team working, data collection and analysis and the practical implementation of care for patients with long term conditions. The work should highlight how care or clinical practice could be improved and effectively implemented. (Guideline 1500-2000 words)

3)    Presentation of a significant event in some area of long term conditions. The guideline of marking to be decided by peers during the first 2 days of the module.