This module is designed for health professionals caring for patients with cystic fibrosis 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 Cystic Fibrosis (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, clinical guidelines, and best practices to care of those with CF
• Enable students to appraise and apply knowledge to recognise the unique care needs of people with CF.
• 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
• Cultivate multi-disciplinary collaboration in order to plan, deliver and evaluate
person-centred, evidence-based care for patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

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
• Multi-Disciplinary 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

Reflective report (2000 words)