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Study information

Special Environment - Jungle

Module titleSpecial Environment - Jungle
Module codeHPDM072
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Anna Shekhdar ()

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

8

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 in a jungle residential setting overseas, usually in Costa Rica.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module you will critically examine the challenges of providing safe and effective healthcare in a jungle 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 jungle regions. You will reflect in more depth on the ethical, professional and legal challenges of delivering medical care in this challenging environment.

 

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 specific hazards and physiological insults encountered in a jungle environment.
  • 2. Critically analyse a range of additional skills for safe, effective travel, camping and survival in a jungle environment.

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 jungle 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 (heat, humidity) on 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:

Common tropical diseases; recognition and management

Prevention of tropical illness

Animal bites, toxins and their management

Basic jungle survival skills

Jungle camp craft, public health and hygiene

Jungle navigation

Casualty evacuation

Heat related illness and physiological dysfunction.

 

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
301200

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching30Residential course: Lectures, seminars, master-classes, practical exercises and group work in specialist areas, and contemporary debates
Guided Independent Study80Reading and preparation for scheduled sessions and coursework. Web-based learning; resource gathering and in-depth reading during the period of module delivery.
Guided Independent Study40Preparation and writing of assignments.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Group reflection and discussionWorkshop within course1-6

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
Written assignment 100Equivalent 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 assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Written assignment2000 words1-6Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Please see the Student Handbook for advice

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

 

1.Tropical Medicine. Lecture Notes. Nick Beeching 2014

 

2.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

 

3.Oxford Handbook of Tropical Medicine 4/e (Flexicover) (Oxford Medical Handbooks) Flexibound – 30 Jan 2014 by Andrew Brent (Editor), Robert Davidson (Editor), Anna Seale (Editor)

 

 

 

 

 

Key words search

Jungle, human health, disease, humanitarian aid, humanitarian relief, disaster management

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

25/10/2016

Last revision date

19/09/2019