Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Comprehensively relate pathologies of the cardiorespiratory system and principles of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy to the clinical presentations of cardiorespiratory conditions in paediatric and adult populations where relevant.
2. Perform a competent and safe assessment of the critical care patient including gathering relevant background information, the selection, undertaking and recording of appropriate tests, the interpretation of ventilatory modes and basic medical investigations that relate to the critical care setting, along with arranging further tests as needed.
3. Evaluate assessment findings to determine problem lists, plan safe and effective treatments including goal setting, appropriate outcome measure selection, treatment techniques, appropriate referral to members of the MDT and employ advanced clinical reasoning skills using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. This includes being able to identify important risk factors and manage identified risks safely and competently.
4. Administer cardiorespiratory techniques effectively to ensure safe and competent practice including manual hyperinflation, nasopharyngeal suction, oropharyngeal suction and tracheostomy management.
5. Understand the role of exercise in the management and prevention of chronic cardiorespiratory disease, demonstrating competency and safety in exercise testing and prescription for individuals with cardiorespiratory disease, including cardiac rehabilitation, amputee rehabilitation, end stage renal disease, cancer and diabetes.
6. Appraise best available evidence for the management of cardiorespiratory disease and apply key findings to enable safe and effective cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice across a variety of clinical environments.
Indicative Module Content:
Pathological conditions of paediatric & adult respiratory
Introduction to paediatric respiratory physiology, physiotherapy treatment and management principles
Respiratory management in neuromuscular disease, peripheral vascular disease and amputee management
The cardiovascular system; anatomy, functions, pathologies, interventions and implications for Physiotherapy
The Role of the Physiotherapist in Oncology and Palliative care, end of life considerations
Respiratory physiotherapy assessment and management in a critical care setting for adults and paediatrics
Physiotherapy role in the MDT
Surgery; pre and post operative process, pain management, risks, vascular disease
On-call duties of the Physiotherapist
Ventilation; indications and modes
Advanced Cardiorespiratory skills:Tracheostomy care, suctioning on the self-ventilating, tracheostomy and ventilated patient, manual hyperinflation, mechanical ventilation and ventilator hyperinflation
Breast cancer; pathologies, incidence, classifications, surgeries and side-effects, adjunct therapies and side-effects, pre-operative and post-operative role of the Physiotherapist
Clinical Guidelines and evidence-based practice