Management of Long Term Conditions

• Impact on life expectancy, quality of life and health
• Links to lifestyles and cultural change
• Aetiology and risk factors
• Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and presentation
• Screening/diagnosis of long-term conditions
• Evidence/research-based treatments and interventions (case management, pharmacological, non-pharmacological, education, self-management and lifestyle issues)
• Multi-disciplinary and collaborative working
• Impact of chronic illness on quality of life – ethical and legal issues
• End of life care pathways and autonomous choice
• Evaluation of care – audit, clinical effectiveness and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

The content will be negotiated according to the student/cohort needs.

Examples of long-term conditions that can be incorporated into the delivery schedule and directed study component of the module will include:

Respiratory diseases (eg. cystic fibrosis, asthma, COPD); endocrine diseases (eg. diabetes, pituitary disorders, thyroid diseases, adrenal conditions); cardiac diseases (e.g. hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease); neurological conditions (eg. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, motor-neurone disease); renal conditions (eg. chronic kidney disease); malignant diseases (eg. cancers such as lung, breast, gastric/bowel, oral, gynaecological, skin, brain).

Learning outcome and aims

Aims

The aim of the module is to provide the student with the opportunity to examine and critically analyse the appropriate principles, concepts, research and contemporary evidence related to the management of long-term conditions. The student will demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge to the effective management of long-term conditions in the context of global, national and local perspectives

Learning Outcomes

• Critically examine the impact of long-term conditions from a global, national and local perspective.
• Critically review the strategies and theories to promote health in the management of a long-term condition, particularly addressing the psycho-social aspect of care.
• Appraise strategies for working collaboratively with clients, carers and other professional groups and agencies related to the management of long-term conditions.
• Apply pathophysiological principles to underpin the presentation of long-term conditions
• Demonstrate the application of research and relevant guidelines to examine the management of long-term conditions.