This module is designed for health professionals caring for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to further increase their theoretical and practical knowledge.

The students will be able to deliver evidence-based care, from diagnoses, treatment and living with the disease in conjunction with a multi-disciplinary approach and using the national and international frameworks. Assessing complex care needs in CF, such as transplant care and end-of-life management, this module focuses on the fundamentals of supporting patients with CF and its management using the Standards of Clinical Care for Children and Adults with CF.

Aims
• Facilitate evidence-based practice to apply current research to care of patients with CF.
• Enable students to recognise the unique care needs of people with CF with a focus on psycho-social patient well-being as well as acute/chronic management.
• Facilitate students to apply a critical approach to undertaking a structured
assessment, interpreting clinical data and using situational judgement to prioritise the care needs in accordance with CF guidelines
• Improve multidisciplinary collaboration to deliver effective care for patients and families with CF.

What and how students will learn on the module

There will be an introduction to LEAP, the virtual learning site, where students will find resources to support academic learning and development. There will be focused study days with the general themes as below. These will have taught elements, but each day will also contain group discussions on case studies which encourage critical analysis of the issues raised.
• Anatomy, pathophysiology and underlying defect of CF, clinical manifestations and management.
• Impact of clinical psychology
• Social Services support
• Multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach and patient through their journey of living with CF, both in and out of hospital.
• Impact of people with CF during pregnancy and parenthood
• Paediatric-to-adult transition processes and impact on the patients and caregivers
• Investigations used in CF, and how the condition is monitored and managed
• Implications of infection prevention in CF
• Complexity such as: organ transplantation, advanced care planning, palliative care and end of life management
• Expert Patient and the impact of the condition and its impact on a person
• Pharmacology and acute and long term medicines management for CF patients.
• Inclusive of Therapies and Screenings
• Line Management pre, post, and during inclusive of pharmacology.
• Risk assessment tools
• Person-centred nursing care and evaluation strategies

Assessment

Essay (1500 words )