Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Lifespan Development for Paramedics

• Unit Code

  PST1201

• Year

  2021

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Mrs Peggy Maria DYKSTRA

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Description

This unit introduces the student paramedic to human development across the lifespan. Content explores how paramedic practice is influenced by differences in the patient’s age and underlying physiological conditions. Clinical reasoning techniques are introduced, and students learn about the different care modalities for special populations, including patients with chronic healthcare conditions and disabilities. Clear, sensitive and effective communication methods appropriate to the patient’s age and culture will be developed, alongside an understanding of human physical and social development. Emphasis is placed on safe and dignified patient care, with students gaining an awareness of how to assess patients to ensure appropriate levels of dignity and care.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Describe human physical and social development across the lifespan.
2. Communicate with people at various stages across the lifespan to obtain information.
3. Describe patient assessment techniques across the lifespan.
4. Explain care modalities for special populations of patients.

Unit Content

1. Physical, behavioural and emotional development across the lifespan.
2. Communication across the lifespan in diverse populations.
3. Chronic illness and disability.
4. Violence, abuse and assault.
5. Alcohol and drugs.
6. Palliative care.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECUs LMS as well as additional ECU l

Additional Learning Experience Information

Students will engage in discussions to analyse human development, special populations, physiological and social development across the lifespan. They will present ideas orally and develop skills in clinical reasoning and problem solving. Students will develop and be assessed on their ability to collect patient history from diverse patient groups such as paediatric, older persons or palliative care patients.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Core Reading(s)

• Curtis, K., & Ramsden, C. (2019). K. Curtis & C. Ramsden (Eds.), Emergency and trauma care for nurses and paramedics (3nd edition.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1102318106
• Curtis, K., & Ramsden, C. (2019). K. Curtis & C. Ramsden (Eds.), Emergency and trauma care for nurses and paramedics (3nd edition.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1102318106
• Williams, B., Ross, L., & Grantham, H. J. M. (2020). Paramedic principles and practice : a clinical reasoning approach (p. xxvi,1062). Amsterdam: ELSEVIER. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1140164452
• Williams, B., Ross, L., & Grantham, H. J. M. (2020). Paramedic principles and practice : a clinical reasoning approach (p. xxvi,1062). Amsterdam: ELSEVIER. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1140164452

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