Managing the Acutely Ill Patient (online)

Online course description

Due to advances in medicine, patients are presenting to care environments with increased levels of illness, many of which are acutely unwell and require immediate interventions to preserve life. This module is aimed at all health and social care professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists and others who work with acutely unwell patients either in or out of hospital.

There is a recognition that all patients have the potential to become acutely unwell at any time. This module aims to develop you with a holistic approach to acute illness surveillance, monitoring, treatment and subsequent recovery. It includes both a ‘back to basics’ approach to assessment and treatment, in addition to developing specialist and expert practice required for the enhanced future capability of students, underpinned by a desire to start learners on a ‘novice to expert’ journey becoming lifelong learners with an interest in acute illness.

This module will involve the broad-based study of acute illness, its management and strategic interventions which can be undertaken by students in practice. Module content will include:

• Identification and management of deteriorating patients
• Common interventions and equipment used in acute illness
• Prioritisation of care
• Systems-based assessment, care and treatment
• Resuscitation
• Airway management – ventilation, intubation, tracheostomies
• Fluid assessment and treatment
• Substance use and misuse, and altered consciousness
• Major issues in critical career: sepsis, major trauma, burns
• Local, national and international policy and governmental directives
• Care organisation for acute illness and team working
• Inter-agency and interprofessional working
• Psychosocial care and working with families
• Autonomy and decision making, developing specialist and expert practice
• Bereavement and dignity in acute illness
• Ethics and consent as related to acute illness

Whilst studying this module content, you will engage with the following graduate and digital skills:

Graduate skills

• Self-awareness
• Reflection
• Peer-support and networking

Digital skills

You will also be given the opportunity to develop digital skills through the use of interactive technology eg discussion forums, personal blog. This module will enable you to:

• Find and use evidence
• Create, save and share videos
• Use digital simulation

English language qualifications

IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) if you have not completed a programme at an English-speaking institution.

• When applying, it is essential that you submit the following:
• Qualification evidence awarded in your country
• Transcripts of all relevant education/training
• NARIC evidence
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of 6.0* in all areas or equivalent qualification

If you have a minimum of IELTS level 4.5 you can study our which we will accept as evidence that you are able to perform at a suitable level of IELTS 6.0. We will also accept the Certificate of Credit as evidence that you can perform at GCSE level.