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Study information

Care of the Older Adult

Module titleCare of the Older Adult
Module codeHPDM065
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Mrs Kate Emblin (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

0

8

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

30

Module description

Life expectancy has been steadily increasing. This has led to a population that is ageing. An ageing population has unique needs. This module will cover the relevant biopsychosocial factors of ageing and disease in this demographic group of patients. Knowledge and skills will be developed by reference to suitable learning material, learning activities and skills-based training. You will be encouraged to integrate your clinical experience into your learning.
This module is suitable for healthcare practitioners who wish to develop their skills in delivering holistic healthcare to the older adult patient.

Module aims - intentions of the module

By virtue of the physiology of aging and the increasing chance of having multi-system disease, the ageing population may have complex needs. This module is intended to develop your knowledge of degenerative disease, their effects and management options. In addition you will further your skills in thinking broadly, assessing patients holistically and considering the risks and benefits of interventions. You will be expected to consider the ethical and social issues relevant to this age group.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Using biopsychosocial assessments, identify the issues and risks for an older adult patient living in a variety of settings
  • 2. Use evidence-based knowledge to consider options for management of common conditions that affect an ageing population

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Identify hazardous prescribing or prescribing omissions that may be contributing to side effects, risks or missed opportunities for prevention in the older adult patient
  • 4. Devise and implement tailored care plans for an older adult patient

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Work effectively and contribute to a multi-disciplinary team
  • 6. Use evidenced-based resources and examples from clinical practice to your learning

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

  • Physiology of ageing,
  • Biopsychosocial assessment and management (to include functional ability, cognition, capacity, frailty and risk of falls etc.)
  • Acute confusion, dementia, Parkinson’s,
  • Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis
  • Place-based systems of care including care homes and the multi-disciplinary team
  • Multi-morbidity and polypharmacy

To ensure flexibility and resilience over the coming academic year, the following changes may be made to the module if needed:

-          Face-to-face scheduled lectures may be replaced by short pre-recorded videos for each topic (15-20 minutes) and/or brief overview lectures delivered via MS Teams/Zoom, with learning consolidated by self-directed learning resources and ELE activities. 

-          Small-group discussion in tutorials and seminars may be replaced by synchronous group discussion on Teams/ Zoom; or asynchronous online discussion, for example via Yammer or ELE Discussion board. 

Workshops involving face-to-face classroom teaching may be replaced by synchronous sessions on Teams/Zoom; or Asynchronous workshop activities supported with discussion forum.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
121380

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities12Lead lectures, seminars, practical sessions and discussion groups
Guided independent study30E-learning. Pre and post-course online activities
Guided independent study24Workplace learning. Engaging and reflecting on clinical practice
Guided independent study44Independent study
Guided independent study40Assignment preparation. Portfolio research and writing

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Submission of one medication related issue entry from patient care plan300-5001-6Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Patient Care Plan 15010001-6Written
Patient Care Plan 25010001-6Written
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Patient Care Plan 1 (50%)Patient-care Plan 1 (1000 words)1-6Typically within six weeks of the result
Patient Care Plan 2 (50%)Patient-care Plan 2 (1000 words)1-6Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

In the event of referral, students should submit a revised version of their original submission, taking into account marker’s feedback.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Geriatric medicine at a glance / edited by Adrian Blundell, Adam Gordon. 2015

Oxford Handbook of General Practice By S.Chantal et al. (Oxford Medical Handbooks) 27 Mar 2014

Web based and electronic resources:
NICE-SCIE, D., 2006. Supporting People with Dementia and their Carers in Health and Social Care (NICE Clinical Guideline 42). London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and Social Care Institute for Excellence.

Relevant sections of:-
• Medical sciences / edited by Jeannette Naish and Denise Syndercombe Court. ISBN: 9780702052491 Accessed via: http://encore.exeter.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2635081
• Kumar & Clark's clinical medicine edited by Parveen Kumar, Michael Clark. ISBN 0702066001 Accessed via: http://encore.exeter.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3510479
• Oxford handbook of clinical medicine / by Murray Longmore, Ian Wilkinson, Andrew Baldwin, Elizabeth Wallin. ISBN: 9781306474122 Accessed http://encore.exeter.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2632706

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Nice (2015). Medicines management in care homes
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs85

Tailoring care:
Farmer, C., Fenu, E., O'Flynn, N. and Guthrie, B., 2016. Clinical assessment and management of multimorbidity: summary of NICE guidance. BMJ: British Medical Journal (Online), 354.

Prescribing for the older patient
https://patient.info/doctor/prescribing-for-the-older-patient

Appropriate prescribing tool
O’Mahony, D., Gallagher, P., Ryan, C., Byrne, S., Hamilton, H., Barry, P., O’Connor, M. and Kennedy, J., 2010. STOPP & START criteria: a new approach to detecting potentially inappropriate prescribing in old age. European Geriatric Medicine, 1(1), pp.45-51.

Dementia testing online
http://gpcog.com.au/

Arthritis
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/musculoskeletal-conditions/arthritis

Frailty
http://www.bgs.org.uk/frailty-explained/resources/campaigns/fit-for-frailty/frailty-what-is-it

Key words search

Older adult, ageing, prescribing, multimorbidity, polypharmacy

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

19/09/2017

Last revision date

12/06/2023