Year
2016
Units
4.5
Contact
4 x 4.5-hour workshops per semester
1 x 2-hour on-line lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour on-line tutorial fortnightly
1 x 32-hour exam once-only
Prerequisites
PARA1000 - Introduction to Paramedic Practice
Enrolment not permitted
HLTH1203 has been successfully completed
Assumed knowledge
Resuscitation at Basic Life support level
Topic description
This topic introduces the student to the fundamentals of emergency care of medical emergencies in the pre-hospital setting. Students explore major medical problems and relate these to abnormalities in physiology. Emergency care skills at a basic life support level are introduced, together with basic principles of pharmacology.
Educational aims
This topic aims to introduce the student to the complex arena of pre-hospital emergency care for patients with medical emergencies. The topic is divided into the following modules:

  • Moral, ethical and legal considerations of paramedicine

  • Scene Management

  • Patient Interviews

  • Patient Examination

  • The Deteriorating Patient

  • Introductory Pharmacology

  • The Altered Mental Status Patient

  • The Weak and Sick Patient

  • The Short of Breath Patient

  • The Patient With Chest Pain

  • The Patient With Gastrointestinal Distress

Expected learning outcomes
At the completion of this topic, it is intended that the participant will be able to:

  • Differentiate and discuss moral, ethical and legal considerations in the practice of paramedicine

  • Describe and demonstrate the ability to manage a pre-hospital scene

  • Describe and conduct a simulated patient interview

  • Describe and conduct a simulated patient examination

  • Explain the common causes of a deteriorating patient, and be able to explain and demonstrate appropriate treatment

  • Discuss the basic principles and practices of pharmacology as applied to paramedicine

  • Explain the common causes of a patient with altered mental status, and be able to explain and demonstrate appropriate treatment

  • Explain the common causes of a patient complaining of weakness, and be able to explain and demonstrate appropriate treatment

  • Explain the common causes of a patient with chest pain, and be able to explain and demonstrate appropriate treatment

  • Explain the common causes of a patient with gastrointestinal distress, and be able to explain and demonstrate appropriate treatment