Special Environment - Polar
| Module title | Special Environment - Polar |
|---|---|
| Module code | HPDM074 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Malcolm Hilton (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 8 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 12 |
|---|
Module description
This module builds on knowledge and skills introduced in the Extreme Medicine Masters programme ‘Core Concepts’ module in year 1. The taught component of the module is all delivered during a residential stay in a polar environment, normally in Northern Norway within the Arctic circle.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a polar environment. You will focus not only on the evaluation of health issues to be expected in the field, but the planning and preparation phase for activities in extreme cold weather climates. You will reflect in more depth on the ethical, professional and legal challenges of delivering medical care in remote polar environments.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Define and demonstrate an understanding of the physiological changes the human body undergoes in extremely cold climates.
- 2. Critically appraise the available evidence for medical interventions in extreme cold environments
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate competence and understanding in the planning and provision of safe, effective medical cover for a polar expedition
- 4. Apply your critical appraisal conclusions to medical decision making in extreme environments
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Collaborate with peers to experience the value of shared and supported learning in a high fidelity context
- 6. Evaluate and experience the effects of mild to moderate physiological stress (cold, tiredness) on self and team dynamics
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
Physiological changes in humans in cold environments
Protection from extreme cold
Temperature ranges and expected injuries
Assessment and treatment of freezing and non-freezing thermal injury
Cold water immersion and hypothermia
Medical kits
Wilderness pain management
Survival signalling, survival kits and polar survival skills
Navigation
Cold environment camp craft skills, sanitation and hygiene
Polar nutrition
Overview of avalanche rescue
Travel modalities and extraction techniques in remote polar environments
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 120 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 30 | Residential course: Lectures, seminars, master-classes, practical exercises and group work in specialist areas, and contemporary debates |
| Guided Independent Study | 80 | Reading and preparation for scheduled sessions and coursework. Web-based learning; resource gathering and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery. |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Preparation and writing of assignments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group reflection and discussion | Workshop within course | 1-6 |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment | 100 | Equivalent to 2000 words of written assignment | 1-6 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment | 2000 words | 1-6 | Typically within six weeks of the result |
Re-assessment notes
Please see the Student Handbook for advice
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine. 2nd Edition Chris Johnson, Sarah R Anderson, Jon Dallimore, Chris Imray, Shane Winser, James Moore and David A. Warrell—Oxford University Press, May 2015. ISBN: 9780199688418. £34.99
Nonfreezing cold-induced injuries.
Imray CH, Richards P, Greeves J, Castellani JW.
J R Army Med Corps. 2011 Mar;157(1):79-84. Review.
A clinical review of the management of frostbite.
Grieve AW, Davis P, Dhillon S, Richards P, Hillebrandt D, Imray CH.
J R Army Med Corps. 2011 Mar;157(1):73-8. Review.
State of Alaska Emergency Medical service Guidlelines
http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Emergency/Pages/ems/downloads/treatment.aspx
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 25/10/2016 |
| Last revision date | 19/09/2019 |
