Module: Dermatology Treatments & Therapies

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Dermatology Treatments & Therapies
Module Code	NS5102 (ITS) / NUR1134 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	-
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

The module will develop knowledge and skills to promote patient centred care for people with skin conditions (both physical and psychological) including those requiring specialist topical and systemic treatments and therapies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical presentations of both common and less common skin conditions.
2. Conduct a comprehensive patient assessment to determine therapeutic interventions warranted (both physical and psychological) and appropriate monitoring mechanisms necessary.
3. Critically appraise factors influencing treatment options for patients with skin conditions, including risk, cost, evidence about efficacy, disease severity, and patient’s response to treatment, concordance and including potential adverse effects.
4. Critically examines the evidence-base underpinning contemporary treatment regimens including pharmacokinetics of topical and systemic treatments used to treat skin conditions.
5. Critically evaluates the burden of dermatological disease locally, nationally and internationally and its impact on individuals with skin conditions and health services.
6. Demonstrates a detailed knowledge of the role of specialist services and support networks available to maximise treatment concordance and promote self-management for people with skin conditions.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Face to face engagement
Online activity	8	Synchronous and asynchronous engagement with module tasks.
Class Presentation	8	Preparation for and delivery of in-class poster presentation.
Professional Practice	210	Practice based learning within the student's own workplace context including engagement with module tasks/assessment requirements.
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

Topics will include:
Wound therapies/compression therapy; skin lesions of the mouth and tongue; pharmacokinetics of topical therapies for skin conditions; topical steroids/topical treatments for psoriasis & eczema; other interventions for skin disease including diet, antimicrobials; Psoriatic arthritis & biologic therapy; phototherapy; systemic treatments, second line drug monitoring, topical treatments for acnes; cellulitis, bacterial, viral, fungal infections; adverse drug reactions; skin cancer medical management; herpes simplex; scabies, drug rashes/contact dermatitis; psychological and educational interventions including anxiety management and coping strategies to support patients living with dermatological conditions.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Poster presentation	Students will deliver a poster presentation on a topic related to module learning.	30%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Students will complete a Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) based on module content.	30%	n/a
Report(s)	Undertake comprehensive clinical assessments on two separate patients presenting with dermatological conditions. Provide a full patient history including current complaint, clinical examination and tests warranted, results / outcomes of interventions undertaken, plan of care going forward. Document findings in ‘SOAP' note format [Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan] . SOAPs are a structured format to document patient information for any condition. They will be used in a teaching and learning capacity for the module.	30%	n/a
Reflective journal	Reflective exercise documenting how practice has been influenced by learning on the module (200 words approx.)	10%	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

Bobonich M & Nolan M: 2015, Dermatology for Advanced Practice Clinicians, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins., 9781451191974
Bickley, L.: 2016, Bates' guide to physical examination and history-taking, 12th Edition, Wolters Kluwer., Philadelphia, 978-149635029
Penzer R, Ersser, S: 2010, Principles of Skin Care: A Guide for Nurses and Health Care Practitioners, Wiley-Blackwell, 978140517087
Weller, RB., Hunter, H.J.A , Mann, W.A.: 2015, Clinical Dermatology, 5th Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, 978-047065952
McCance, K. & Huether, S.: 2014, Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children., 7th Edition, Elsevier,
Melnyk B, Fineout-Overholt E.: 2019, Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice, 4th Edition, Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 978-149638453

Other Resources

None