The Kidneys, Liver, Endocrine System and Blood (P01803)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : MED-P-P01803

This is the main course that addresses the relevance of the kidneys, liver and endocrine system. It also reviews the uptake and excretion of drugs, the management of diabetes, the control of body temperature and haemostasis. During this course, trainees should develop the appropriate level of knowledge, skills and attitudes in relation to the following:
1) The anatomy and functions of the kidneys, including the consequences of renal failure
2) Oliguria and the action of diuretics
3) The anatomy and functions of the liver, including the consequences of liver failure
4) The uptake, management and excretion of drugs
5) The anatomy and functions of the thyroid and parathyroid glands
6) The anatomy and functions of the adrenal and pituitary glands: the stress response
7) The anatomy and functions of the pancreas and the management of diabetes
8) The control of temperature and the effects of anaesthesia and surgery
9) Blood clotting, anticoagulants and DVT (deep vein thrombosis) prophylaxis
10) Checking blood and interpreting common blood tests

In meeting the above outcomes, students will be required to demonstrate clinical insight, critical thinking and evaluation. Students are expected to demonstrate these qualities in all assessments, but there is a particular focus on these higher level cognitive skills in vignette-based Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and in Problem Based Learning (PBL).

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : None other than the programme entry requirements.

? Co-requisites : Students must be registered on the Masters/Diploma programme in Anaesthesia Practice.

? Costs : n/a

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Pain Management, (Medicine, Schedule R)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for this programme are designed to encompass the knowledge, skills and attitude that practitioners must achieve to become anaesthesia practitioners. On completion of this 12 course programme the student/learner must:
A. Be able to elicit a full history from the patient which identifies potential problems, before, during and post anaesthesia and to communicate this information to all members of the team.
B. Demonstrate a good working knowledge of anaesthetic pharmacology and be able to articulate in theory and practice the physiological action of these drugs and their interaction with prescribed drugs that patients may be taking.
C. Demonstrate a clear knowledge of the physiological changes which occur in all of the systems of the body during and after anaesthesia and be able to use the information to access the patient's wellbeing during and post anaesthesia.
D. Be able to use their knowledge of physiology to identify the needs of a patient who may be an anaesthetic risk due to a pre-existing medical condition.
E. Have achieved a clear working knowledge of anatomy of the respiratory, cardiovascular system and the spinal cord and brain in order to induce anaesthesia and undertake emergency resuscitative procedures.
F. Be able to demonstrate a clear working knowledge of the physics relevant to anaesthesia and to use that knowledge to monitor and measure patients' wellbeing during and after anaesthesia.
G. Have developed the skills to reflect in and on their practice and to use the outcomes of the reflection for personal development and development, innovation and change in practice.
H. Have developed the ability to support the learning of colleagues entering practice

Assessment Information

To gain the credits for this course, students must have achieved a pass in each of the following individual components: Record of In-Training Experience (RITE); Clinical Skills Workbook (CSW); Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE); and in the combined Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) + Problem Based Learning (PBL) + OSCE. RITE and CSW are pass/fail components only, although students will receive qualitative feedback on their performance.

The course score is based solely on the following components, weighted as shown: MCQ 40%, PBL 40% and OSCE 20%