Stand-Alone Degree Level 3 Foundation Modules

 

Module Title

Level

Credits

 

Foundation in Leg Ulcer Management

3

30

 

Foundation in Pressure Ulcer Management

3

30

 

Foundation in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Management

3

30

Overall Aim of the Modules

The overall aim of each of these 3 stand-alone distance-learning modules is to promote the understanding of the management of patients with leg ulceration, pressure ulceration and diabetic foot ulceration by exploring current evidence and practice. In addition these modules seek to advance the students existing awareness to enable them to extend their knowledge and develop strategies to improve the patients’ outcome and quality of care.

Module Information

These modules are offered as stand-alone modules and would not be considered as replacement for the core or any other modules within the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc scheme. They are designed to introduce in a non-threatening way, the non-graduate student to degree-level study. Students who undertook these would therefore be considered as suitable applicants for the Postgraduate programme as it would demonstrate evidence of recent academic study.

Each module will run for a 16 week period and will not overlap, this will allow the student to potentially complete 3 modules in one year. Each module will have 1 initial study day in cardiff . Attendance at the initial study day is compulsory, therefore students unable to attend will be invited to attend the next time the module is due to commence. Each module must be completed in the 16 week period.

Primarily targeted for nurses, they have a greater emphasis on clinical application and will provide students with an introduction to some of the module content which will be covered in greater depth and assessed at Masters level in the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair.

Criteria for Admission

For entry to these modules, individuals should be working with patients who require day-to-day wound management and meet the Cardiff University criteria for degree level study outlined below:

• 120 CATS at level 1 in nursing or a relevant subject area

• 120 CATS at level 2 in nursing or a relevant subject area

A non-graduate whose relative lack of formal qualification is compensated for by his/her age and relevant work experience may also be admitted provided:

• the candidate is aged 25 or more;

• the candidate has held, for a minimum period of two years, a position of responsibility of relevance to the scheme of study to be pursued.

Students whose language is not English are required to provide proof of their proficiency in the English language. Applications are therefore considered from doctors, nurses, pharmacists, podiatrists and other professionals who meet the above criteria.

Foundation in Leg Ulcer Management

Module Aim

The overall aim of this module is to promote the understanding of the management of patients with leg ulceration by exploring current evidence and practice. This module seeks to advance the students existing awareness to enable them to extend their knowledge and develop strategies to improve the patients’ outcome and quality of care.

Outcomes

On completion of the module a student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

- distinguish between the different causes of ulceration and associated pathophysiology and relate to epidemiology, risk factors and assessment

- gain an understanding of the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and management of patients with leg ulcers

- demonstrate application of knowledge to the by relating it to their own area of clinical practice

- Show evidence of the ability to select and utilise appropriate literature in a structured manner

- Demonstrate a wider understanding of the subject by appraising the impact of local and national guidelines and their relevance to service delivery

- Communicate their level of awareness and personal responsibility in relation to their professional code of conduct

Intellectual Skills:

- critically analyse the current literature and evidence for leg ulcer management

- demonstrate an ability to formulate ideas and offer solutions to problems associated with managing patients with leg ulceration

- display an ability to plan and complete an individual assignment with evidence of a balanced discussion to demonstrate integration of knowledge

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

- review the Health Care Professionals role in assessment of patients with leg ulcers and explore the evidence for undertaking a comprehensive assessment

- Formulate treatment and management plans for patients with leg ulceration

- Review the role of the Hand-Held Doppler within the assessment process of the lower limb

- Appraise the evidence for compression therapy and relate this to current practice

- Critique the impact of psychosocial issues that are relevant to managing patients with leg ulceration and suggest strategies to incorporate these within clinical practice

Transferable Skills:

- display appropriate communication skills through written and verbal communication

- demonstrate an understanding of the principles and processes of reflection in a structured manner

- demonstrate an ability to work effectively as an individual by using information technology as a method of study

- Show their ability to manage their time effectively

- able to identify a future personal developmental strategy that fits with the notion of Lifelong Learning

Module Overview

CONTENT:

1.

Epidemiology and risk factors for healing and recurrence

2.

Pathophysiology of venous and arterial disease and lymphoedema

3.

Assessment of quality of life

4.

Principles of assessment and investigative modalities

5.

Dermatology and unusual ulceration

6.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Venous Ulcers

7.

Microbiology, wound cleansing and infection

8.

Role of dressings, skin care and compression

9.

Surgical interventions

10.

Planning the management of a patient with leg ulceration

11.

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Foundation in Pressure Ulcer Management

Module Aim

This module provides an examination of current evidence for the management and prevention of pressure ulcers in the light of a growing body of literature and National Guidelines. The philosophy of the module is that pressure ulcers should be viewed as an adverse event thereby ensuring that risk assessment and management are integral to an implementation strategy. The module aims to enable the practitioner to analyse their current practice and identify knowledge, strategies and skills that will improve outcome and quality of care.

Outcomes

On completion of the module a student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

- Compare and contrast the different causes of pressure ulceration, their associated pathophysiology and their role within the management plan

- Identify the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and management of patients with pressure ulcers

- demonstrate application of knowledge by relating it to their own area of clinical practice

- Show evidence of the ability to select and utilise appropriate literature in a structured manner

- Demonstrate a wider understanding of the subject by appraising the impact of local and national guidelines and their relevance to service delivery

- Communicate their level of awareness and personal responsibility in relation to their professional code of conduct

Intellectual Skills:

- critically analyse the current literature and evidence for pressure ulcer management

- demonstrate an ability to formulate ideas and offer solutions to problems associated with managing patients with pressure ulceration

- display an ability to plan and complete an individual assignment with evidence of a balanced discussion to demonstrate integration of knowledge

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

- review the Health Care Professionals role in assessment of patients with pressure ulcers and explore the evidence for undertaking a comprehensive assessment

- Formulate treatment and management plans for patients with pressure ulceration

- Critically analyse the use of the various risk assessment tools used and relate this to the management of patients

- Identify the current pressure-relieving equipment used and demonstrate how their use is underpinned by theory

- Critique the impact of psychosocial issues that are relevant to managing patients with pressure ulceration and suggest strategies to incorporate these within clinical practice

Transferable Skills:

- display appropriate communication skills through written and verbal communication

- demonstrate an understanding of the principles and processes of reflection in a structured manner

- demonstrate an ability to work effectively as an individual by using information technology as a method of study

- Show their ability to manage their time effectively

- able to identify a future personal developmental strategy that fits with the notion of Lifelong Learning

CONTENT:

1.

 Pathophysiology of pressure damage

2.

 Extrinsic and Intrinsic causes of pressure ulcers

3.

 Quality of service & Clinical Governance

4.

 Risk assessment tools

5.

 Prevalence and Incidence

6.

 Classification / grading of pressure ulcers

7.

 Wound assessment & management strategies

8.

 Microbiology, cleansing and infection control

9.

 Pressure relief and reduction

10.

 Health related Quality of Life

11.

 Role of the Multi Disciplinary Team

Foundation in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Management

Module Aim

This module provides an examination of current evidence for the management and prevention of diabetic foot ulcers in the light of a growing body of literature and National Guidelines. The philosophy of the module is that effective diabetic foot disease must be placed alongside the key themes of quality, multidisciplinary care and patient partnership. The module aims to enable the practitioner to analyse their current practice and identify knowledge, strategies and skills that will improve outcome and quality of care.

Outcomes

On completion of the module a student should be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding:

- Discriminate between and contrast the underlying pathologies of diabetic foot disease

- Identify the importance of the multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and management of patients with diabetic foot ulcers

- demonstrate application of knowledge by relating it to their own area of clinical practice

- Show evidence of the ability to select and utilise appropriate literature in a structured manner

- Demonstrate a wider understanding of the subject by appraising the impact of local and national guidelines and their relevance to service delivery

- Communicate their level of awareness and personal responsibility in relation to their professional code of conduct

Intellectual Skills:

- critically analyse the current literature and evidence for diabetic foot ulcer management

- demonstrate an ability to formulate ideas and offer solutions to problems associated with managing patients with diabetic foot ulceration

- display an ability to plan and complete an individual assignment with evidence of a balanced discussion to demonstrate integration of knowledge

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

- review the Health Care Professionals role in assessment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers and explore the evidence for undertaking a comprehensive assessment

- Formulate treatment and management plans for patients with diabetic foot ulceration

- Gain an understanding of the skills required to perform a comprehensive foot assessment

- Identify key management principles, based on current guidelines

- Critique the impact of psychosocial issues that are relevant to managing patients with diabetic foot ulceration and suggest strategies to incorporate these within clinical practice

- Identify appropriate strategies for providing health education for patients with diabetic foot disease

Transferable Skills:

- display appropriate communication skills through written and verbal communication

- demonstrate an understanding of the principles and processes of reflection in a structured manner

- demonstrate an ability to work effectively as an individual by using information technology as a method of study

- Show their ability to manage their time effectively

- able to identify a future personal developmental strategy that fits with the notion of Lifelong Learning

CONTENT:

1.

 Pathophysiology of Diabetic Foot Disease

2.

 Differential diagnosis & Investigative modalities

3.

 Assessment of the foot

4.

 Classification of ulcers

5.

 Principles of diabetic foot management

6.

 Microbiology, wound cleansing and infection

7.

 Footwear, Off-loading and Casting

8.

 Service delivery and the relevance of guidelines

9.

 Health related Quality of Life

10.

 Providing a multi-disciplinary diabetic foot service

11.

 Health Promotion and prevention of foot ulcers

Assessment Regulations

Candidates will be assessed in two parts:

In order to pass each Module, students must submit a summative assignment of 3,000 words (75% of overall mark)

And

A reflective journal, this is made up of 3 reflective pieces of work of 500 words each (25% of overall mark)

Both parts of the assessment must be passed in order to successfully complete the module.

Students are required to illustrate, through their work, that knowledge has been gained and there is evidence of problem solving, synthesis and creativity. Assignments are used to assess learning outcomes and allow students to express Degree level concepts of understanding, analysis, evaluation and presentation. There should be clear demonstration of relevance to individual clinical/professional practice and original thought whilst incorporating elements of the module under study.

The student will be required to pass both assessment elements with a minimum pass mark of 50%. The hand-in date for the assignment and reflective piece of work will be the last day of the 16 week module.

A student who submits a project for which a mark of less than 50 is awarded may re-submit on one further occasion. Re-submitted assignments will receive a maximum mark of 50 and will normally be submitted 8 weeks following the date of the first result. Failure to achieve a pass on re-submission will result in failure of the module. Late submissions, extensions and mitigating circumstances will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate Cardiff University regulations.

Student absence procedures are also laid down by Cardiff University and where short term absence or longer interruptions to study are an issue they will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.

Learning and Teaching Methods

The module will be studied as a web-based distance-learning programme. The student will be encouraged to develop their knowledge throughout the module by undertaking various activities; these will include reading a relevant article and answering questions, reflecting on an area of practice, accessing information on-line and providing feedback and exploring specific areas of practice at a local level. During the module optional study days will be available to support the modular workbook material with hands-on practical workshops being the most prevalent teaching method to complement module material. Students will be encouraged to use these sessions for problem exploration and discussion.

Further support will be provided through the use of module related chat-rooms and discussion forums in addition to tutorial time offered for individual students. This is particularly important for the distance learner who is required to keep a high level of motivation in the absence of face to face contact with course lecturers. The Wound Healing Research Unit has a worldwide reputation in the field of wound healing, and is fortunate that students have access to Unit members and associates who have conducted leading research in the field.

Support for Students and their Learning

A Study day at the beginning of each module provides the students with an introduction to study skills and information retrieval through the library and information services. Induction is given to familiarise the student in accessing their home page, online course material, joining in chat room sessions, contributing to discussion forums and sending messages via their home page.

For the remainder of the module, students are supported by the following means:

• Online personal and group tutorials in chat room sessions, personal tutorials by email or telephone.

• Optional study day/workshop provided more regionally to complement the module workbooks

• Close liaison with the distance learning library staff to ensure students are able to access necessary databases and full-text journals.

• Provision of certain articles from Wound Healing Research Unit library (faxed or posted) when students have experienced difficulty accessing literature.

• Review of outlines and/or draft assignments to provide feedback and direction.

• Encouraging students to engage in discussion forums focused toward particular course material subjects.

• Constant updating of latest relevant references and information on resources home page for students to access.

Methods for Improving and Evaluating Quality and Standards of Teaching

• Anonymous student feedback questionnaire

• Internal and external blinded marking of course assignments

• Annual module review

• Departmental peer review

• External examiners reports

• Periodic review and revalidation

 

Committees with responsibility for monitoring standards:

Academic Standards and Quality Committee
Taught Postgraduate Management Subcommittee
Boards of Medical Studies
Examination Board
Course Committee

Making an Application

An application form is available in PDF format by following the link to "Application for Postgraduate Study" at:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/postgrad/howtoapply/index.html

Intake Dates

4 March 2008
2 September 2008
3 March 2009
1 September 2009

The closing date for applications is normally 8 weeks prior to the proposed module commencement date.

Module Fees

Fees are £600 per module. These costings are reviewed annually by Cardiff University.

For further information contact the Wound Healing Research Unit education office, admin@whru.co.uk or telephone 02920 742682.