Course Description:

This module, which is integral to the MSc/PGCert in Medical and Healthcare Simulation, is designed to enhance and extend a range of skills pertinent to initial assessment, clinical decision-making, management/leadership and effective communication skills in the context of a medical emergency and patient safety.

The focus is on the application of evidence-based contemporary human factors/ergonomics science to enhance our understanding of the nature and source of error and harm, to facilitate better risk management and to improve patient safety. In addition to an in-depth exploration of Safety-I and Safety-II concepts, including PSIRF and SEIPS, the course will also discuss current thinking relating to patient safety, crisis-resource management, situational awareness and performance variability.

The module will require some participation in clinically based medical emergency simulation events aimed at presenting the student with significant challenges in aspects of patient-centred clinical decision making in the context of medical emergency care.

The programme(s) this module can be linked to/contribute towards:
PG Cert / MSc Health and Medical Simulation

Assessment Details:

Oral Presentation (Weighting 40%)

Students are required to present a 20-minute case study outlining ways in which organisational, departmental and personal learning could improve patient safety and contribute to the design of safer clinical systems in the context of emergency medical care.

The case should form the basis of the written paper.

Written Paper: (Weighting 60%)

Students are required to undertake a critically reflective analysis of a medical emergency situation detailing the assessment and management of a patient. The paper should include a detailed analysis of the nature and source of error and consider whether the use of simulation in addition to contemporary risk management strategies could have/did make a difference. They should also consider the wider implications for practice and the organisation.

Word limit equivalent to 5000 words (excluding appendices and references).

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding

Successful students will typically:

Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills

Successful students will typically:

• Demonstrate competence in the critical application of patient assessment and diagnosis in a range of medical emergency situations, utilising a systematic approach and critical understanding of the ways in which models of assessment, communication and management contribute to patient management and patient safety.
• Enhance and extend their assessment, diagnostic, management and documentation skills for a range of medical emergency situations with a focus on patient safety and service improvement.
• Critically evaluate the process of analysis of critical/significant incidents with a view to providing effective risk management and improving patient safety.
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the impact of medical emergencies on professional colleagues, patients, and carers/relatives.