AC6771 - Cardiac Health in Contemporary Clinical Practice

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will explore the anatomy and physiology of the heart before applying this knowledge to the altered pathophysiology of acute and long-term conditions associated with cardiac disorders. Topics include coronary heart disease, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. You will learn the value and application of comprehensive assessment, investigation and management of patients with the common cardiac presentations, including an introduction to interpretation of 12 lead EGs and common arrhythmias. The importance and focus of contextualised inter-professional working, patient empowerment and the scope of health care provision for certain heart disease conditions within primary care and acute settings will be integral to the module, including the impact on both patients and their families

How will I learn on this module?

This module applies Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to remove barriers to learning and create an inclusive, flexible experience that accommodates diverse learning styles. By offering multiple ways to engage with content, varied formats for accessing and understanding material, and ample opportunities for diverse action and expression, you can develop and showcase key employability skills. Through a blend of online resources, and live seminars, the module ensures an active, authentic learning journey that supports your success in real-world contexts (La, Dyjur, & Bair, 2018). This means learning will be via a blended delivery using a combination asynchronous (30 hours of web-based resources) and synchronous (12 hours of live online seminars) learning. A ‘flipped classroom’ approach (Bergman & Sams, 2012), promotes the front loading of theoretical content as preparatory independent study provided via online supported learning (OSL) and reading, prior to the face-to-face online seminars where your understanding of concepts and application of theory will be explored. This approach to module delivery promotes active learning as it works to accommodate your learning needs and abilities by offering flexibility and direction gained from the preparatory web-based materials which are then explored and applied during the live online seminars creating new knowledge. Offering multiple ways of learning helps you to engage along with giving you the opportunity to express your learning through action and/or expression. This encourages a positive learning environment where you are likely to feel more engaged and motivated in your learning. Authentic assessment means that any assessments throughout the module will mirror real life activities that you will be faced with in your professional practice. Authentic assessment will be an on-going key feature of the module, via tasks within the web-based materials and online simulated practice learning. These will not only support your learning of the theory related to professional practice but will also support assessment literacy through developing your skills and knowledge of the assessment process. All assessments within the programme will be operated in accordance with standard operating procedures and marked and moderated in accordance with the Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) ensuring the academic standards required for student awards are met.

Bergman, J., & Sams, A. (2012) Flip your classroom. Reach every student in every class every day. Washington D.C., International Science of Technology in Education.
La, H., Dyjur, P., & Bair, H. (2018). Universal design for learning in higher education. Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. Calgary University of Calgary

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by the module lead who will guide your academic learning and assessment throughout the module. The module lead was involved in developing the e-learning materials, assessment exercises, and will provide some of your live online seminars, and feedback, supported by other staff. This module is supported by Blackboard Ultra and adheres to the university’s minimum standards. The site includes module information, assessment information, power-point presentations and e-learning packages, reading lists and relevant web links. Blackboard Collaborate will be used for the delivery of the live online seminars.

A discussion board is available to the cohort, through which students can post comments and ask questions of their peers throughout the duration of the module. You will have a live online group tutorial will help you prepare for the summative assessment. Your Programme Lead and Personal Tutor are also available to offer guidance on academic support throughout the programme.

The University Libraries offer an extensive collection of material, both hard copy and electronic, access to international databases and training in information retrieval. A variety of study-skills-related help sheets, and online videos can be found on the library Skills Plus site. You can also access a range of student support and wellbeing services via Student Central or by accessing the student support and wellbeing pages and Ask4Help via your electronic student portal.

You will also have an allocated personal/guidance teacher who will provide advice and support in relation to academic, procedural, and (where desired and appropriate) personal matters during the programme of study you have enrolled on. You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and specific support from the programme team with any specific IT issues related to the e-learning package.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

On completion of this module:

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will have understood the principal structures of the heart and cardiac function.
2. You will have explored complex pathophysiology underpinning acute and chronic cardiac conditions.
3. You will have examined the management of patients with cardiac conditions.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. You will have critically analysed the contemporary evidence underpinning the care delivery and management of cardiac conditions.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will have appreciated the key attributes of complex cardiac issues and apply theory to practice settings.

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed? (SRS 0006)

Formative assessment
Formative assessment will take place through the completion of weekly online quizzes associated with learning materials. Formative assessment will also be informed by engagement in learning activities including ECG workshops and live (online) classroom attendance. (MLO 1-5).

Summative Assessment
The summative assessment is designed to allow you to present a narrative account of a patient under your care and write a reflective account of your involvement and the application of new knowledge in cardiac care. You will submit a pre-recorded, narrated 20-minute electronic presentation, presenting a patient you have cared for who has experienced a cardiac disorder. (MLO 1-3)
You will also submit a supporting 1000-word reflection addressing your development of cardiac knowledge and a critical appraisal of the use of best practice in the patient’s care. (MLO 4,5)

Summative feedback on final submission of the assessed work will be given in a structured format to inform future practice

Pre-requisite(s)

To undertake this module, applicants must hold a valid current professional registration (i.e. NMC/GMC/HCPC)

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is aimed at registered healthcare professionals working within acute and primary care who are involved in the care of patients with cardiac conditions. Heart failure cases are increasing in the UK (British Journal of Primary Care Nursing 2018), Coronary Heart Disease continues to be a major cause of death in the UK and worldwide (NHS) and atrial fibrillation remains one of the major causes of cardiovascular morbidity in the world (ESC 2016).The focus for this module will be placed on these cardiac conditions and their associated sequelae and will enable you to explore related anatomy, physiology, and electrophysiology. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the care and treatment of these conditions including assessment, investigations, secondary prevention and treatment. The module integrates the importance of inter-professional working and the scope of health care provision for cardiac conditions, including the holistic impact on patients and their families. The assessment is designed to allow you to present a narrative account of a patient under your care and write a reflective account of your involvement in the care episode and the application of new knowledge in cardiac care. This will enable you to demonstrate the achievement of the module learning outcomes.