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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Common & Episodic Conditions
Module Code NS5067P (ITS) / NUR1124 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinatorSiobhan Rothwell
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Student must successfully undertake prescribed module work as determined by coordinator.
Description

This module uses a systematic approach in the diagnosis and comprehensive management of episodic conditions and acute exacerbation of chronic conditions across the lifespan. Students will build on their knowledge of physical assessment and advanced pathophysiology to establish differential diagnoses, and their knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics to effectively treat episodic conditions in diverse populations. Students will differentiate primary, secondary and tertiary intervention strategies; health promotion initiatives and focus on the development of clinical judgment skills in the management of a wide array of episodic conditions and acute exacerbation of chronic conditions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Arrange knowledge from health, psychological and social sciences to perform focused health assessments in individuals with episodic health conditions.
2. Implement appropriate differential diagnoses and diagnoses based on analysis and interpretation of subjective and objective data.
3. Construct treatment plans based on current practice guidelines and include lifestyle management, pharmacotherapeutics and alternative therapies to optimize health outcomes.
4. Demonstrate a collaborative approach, intra- and inter-disciplinary, in the management of individuals and families with emphases on safety, cost and efficacy.
5. Create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes health promotion strategies with a focus on scientific rationale and standards of care.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture38The learning process will be facilitated by the module coordinator with face-to-face interaction.
Tutorial10Students will be guided through SOAP notes and PBL that they will have an opportunity to work on during the sessions.
Tutorial202Students will construct SOAP notes and manage specified PBL cases and practice OSCEs. The activities will be facilitated via synchronous and asynchronous methods of delivery (recorded webinars and online resources).
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content
• Comprehensive approach to person-centred care; introduction to SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan) notes • Subjective data: chief complaint, history of present illness past medical, surgical, social history, review of systems • Objective data: physical exam, diagnostic findings • Differential diagnoses and diagnosis • Therapeutic plan, safety, cost, practice guidelines, evidence-based practice • Health promotion and disease prevention • Acuity scoring system (qualifying clinical judgment) • Multidisciplinary team approach to care and referral • Legal and ethical issues as applicable to the health condition • Pharmacotherapeutics • Individual and family issues as applicable to the health condition • Systematic approach to specific health problems • Incorporation of Inquire / Problem based learning activities.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Group assignmentStudents will work in teams to comprehensively manage the care of specific acute / episodic conditions.30%n/a
AssignmentStudents will write SOAP notes on specific cases.30%n/a
Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)Students will demonstrate their knowledge of diagnoses and treatment in a final OSCE.40%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Terry Mahan Buttaro,JoAnn Trybulski,Joanne Sandberg-Cook,Patricia Polgar-Bailey: 2021, Primary Care: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, 6th, Mosby, 9780323355018
  • Wallach, J.: 2011, Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests, 9th, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 978-160547667
  • Domino, F.J.: 2018, The Five-Minute Clinical Consult, 26th, Lippincott Williams, Philadelphia, 978-149637462
  • Wolff, K., Johnson, R.A., Saavedra, A.P, & Roh, E.K: 2017, Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology,, 8th, McGraw-Hill Education, 978125964219
  • Papadakis, MA et al.: 2017, Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 56th, McGraw Hill, New York, 978-125958511
  • Hamilton, R.: 2017, Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2016 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition, 18, Jones and Bartlett, Massachusetts, 978-128411897
  • Goolsby, M.J. & Grubbs. L.: 2019, Advanced Assessment Interpreting Findings and Formulating Differential Diagnoses, 4th, Davis Company, Philadelphia, 978080366894
Other Resources

None

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