The 20 credit module, Mastering Emergency Care, invites registered healthcare professionals working within emergency and pre-hospital environments to participate in postgraduate study with the aim of enhancing knowledge and gaining new skills in emergency care.

Experts from around the South West region working in a variety of settings, including the Bristol Children's Hospital and the regional trauma centre, Southmead Hospital, will be offering teaching based on the latest local and national guidance for a wide range of emergency presentations. The core themes of the Royal College of Nursing 'Emergency Competency Framework (2017)' will guide the content delivery of this course.

On successful completion of this level 7 (Masters level) module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the physiological and pathophysiological processes which patients requiring emergency care may experience.

• Explore the impact of changes in health care policy in emergency care and utilise the current evidence base in the specialty to enhance and inform innovation in the care of patients within emergency care.

• Recognise the legal, ethical and political issues and drivers underpinning the practice, management and service provision of emergency care.

• Demonstrate the ability to make safe clinical assessments based on an evidenced based approach to emergency care (in a variety of settings: triage, resuscitation room, major assessment.

Careers / Further study

This level 7 (Masters level) module can contribute towards:

• MSc Specialist Practice (District Nursing)
• MSc Advanced Practice
• Professional Development Awards.

Please note: Priority will be given to applications received through our funded educational contracts.  Places on this module will be limited for applications received outside of this funding.  Please check with your employer as a funded contract place may still be available to support your learning.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

Content

The module content will typically include:

• Assessment and management of patients presenting in emergency care 

• The vulnerable adult (includes patients presenting with mental health issues, dementia, learning disabilities, as a result of sexual assault, due to alcohol and drugs, older people, forensic evidence, safeguarding issues, the pregnant patient). 

• Children and their families (includes psychological and physiological differences between children and adults, managing trauma in children and assessing the seriously ill child, emergency childbirth in the Emergency Department). 

• Minor trauma (assessment and management, introduction to clinical decision making rules, ophthalmology, Ear, Nose, Throat) 

• Major trauma (trauma centres, centralisation and trauma networks, new techniques and approaches in trauma care, learning from military trauma care). 

• Surgical and medical emergencies 

• Wound management (wound assessment, wound closure techniques, simple and advanced suturing techniques, anaesthetic blocks). 

• Writing for publication, face to face seminar, supported by on line learning. 

• Communication Public and patient involvement and empowerment, communicating effectively in difficult situations, breaking bad news, communicating with a variety of agencies including the police, coroner etc. 

• Political awareness Political and legal drivers in emergency care, policy and initiatives impacting on emergency care.

Learning and Teaching

A variety of approaches will be used which may include e-learning, lectures, online video simulations, seminars, experts from practice, analysis of case studies, problem-based learning, online patient scenarios and self-directed study.

Study time

A total of 24 hours in the form of seminars, lectures and online activities.

Assessment

The assessment for this module is currently under review. Further information will be provided following approval, and before the start date of the module

Assessment will be a two-hour unseen computer-based exam. It will include both MCQs and SAQs scenario-based questions.