Learning Outcomes:
Successful completion will enable the student to:
- Apply knowledge of developmental physiology to the care of a child with a cardiac condition.
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of comprehensive health needs assessment, identify care priorities and develop a plan of care, implement and evaluate the care of children and young people receiving cardiac support and interventions.
- Critically evaluate the impact of therapeutic interventions and technology on the psycho-social well-being of children and their families.
- Develop a variety of communication and negotiation skills to promote and establish effective relationships with children, their families and the multi-professional healthcare team.
- Identify and critically evaluate relevant research, including national and international guidelines, to promote evidence-based practice within the multi-professional team and cardiology setting.
Indicative Module Content:
Students will be introduced to the history and evolution of cardiac care, and how advancements have shaped current practice. We will explore cardiac embryology, and the role of the fetal circulation, and it's significance in the transition to extrauterine life. Students will understand how to perform in-depth cardiac assessment, including ECG interpretation, and identify the characteristic presentation of cardiac anomalies. The various types and classifications of heart defects, including congenital and acquired, cyanotic and acyanotic heart defects will be addressed, as well as syndromes associated with them. The broader principles of child and family centred care and psychological wellbeing run through the entire programme, while issues such as palliative care, tracheostomy care, infection control and the care of the child with Autism are explore in the context of the child with a cardiac condition in this module.