Teaching and learning
This course is designed to provide a mix of asynchronous, remote synchronous and face-to-face delivery in Cambridge. The course comprises three modules, each with teaching sessions held in Cambridge and additional between-module reflection, study and assignment work. A virtual learning environment [VLE] will support students' learning throughout the programme.
It is essential that applicants are available to attend all teaching events, including those taught in person in Cambridge.
Teaching dates below are subject to confirmation.
The Modules:
Module 1: Enhanced Clinical Decision Making - October to December 2024
- 2 - 3 October 2024
- 13 - 14 November 2024
- 11 - 12 December 2024
This module focuses on the knowledge, skills and behaviours (non-technical skills) to enable participants to operate as autonomous critical care practitioners either alone or within pre-hospital critical care teams and support the continuous quality improvement and management of the service. It includes:
• Effective clinical decision making.
• Healthcare leadership.
• Team resource management.
• Applying evidence to clinical practice.
• Application of legal and ethical considerations.
• Quality improvement in healthcare
Module 2: Advanced Clinical Assessment - January to March 2025
- 8 - 9 January 2025
- 5 - 6 February 2025
- 5 - 6 March 2025
The module includes:
• Clinical method (history and examination techniques) as applied to the critically ill or injured patient of all ages.
• Applied anatomy and physiology in relation to the most frequent acute presentations and emergency interventions for critically ill or injured patients of all ages.
• Use of diagnostic equipment as an adjunct to clinical assessment.
The module will include a refresher of core clinical practice and the opportunity, through study and taught components, to develop a systems-based approach to assessment. The participants will be taken through a range of common PHEM clinical presentations, the pathophysiology of disease, the applied anatomy and physiology of critical illness and injury, patient assessment and the relevant evidence-based and best practice management strategies.
Module 3: Applied Pharmacology and Therapeutics for PHEM - April to June 2025
- 16 - 17 April 2025
- 14 - 15 May 2025
- 11 - 12 June 2025
This module focuses on the knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable a healthcare professional to prescribe and administer medicines and blood products for both organ and system support and to treat critically ill or injured patients. It includes:
• Applied pharmacology and therapeutics in PHEM.
• Law, ethics and risk assessment in relation to the prescribing or administration of medicines & other therapeutic interventions.
• Using clinical assessment to formulate care plans & medical record keeping
• Monitoring the response to administration of medicines and other therapeutic interventions including adverse incidents and drug errors.
• Use of devices for the administration of medicines & therapeutic interventions.
Through the programme, participants will acquire a grounding in each of these areas, which will be reinforced by referral to the available evidence base and guidelines for current best practice. The teaching will be experiential and intended to demonstrate theory and how this might be applied.
Venue for teaching sessions:
The venue will be confirmed in advance.
Assessment
Students will be given formal feedback on their assignments and informal feedback throughout their course.
You will be assessed throughout the three modules using a variety of formative and summative techniques including ongoing completion of a professional portfolio and reflective learning journal. The summative components will include written examinations of underpinning knowledge, as well as an objective structured practical examination (OSPE). There will also be a requirement for you to take part in peer review of other students, both as the observer and as the learner, and then to provide a written reflection on that process.
Demonstration of active participation in the programme will also be required.
