Module Description Template
Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module
Aims
To dev
Learning outcomes/
Objectives
Content
s
Cardiorespiratory Management 1
HEM 41
7
20
Normal course entry requirements for MSc Rehabilitation Science
Extensive over 6 weeks
To develop a systematic understanding of normal cardiorespiratory anatomy and
physiology and the physical and psychosocial impact of cardiorespiratory pathology on
the patient. To develop skills in the examination and treatment of people with medical
and surgical respiratory conditions.
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
 Critically evaluate the impact of cardiorespiratory pathologies and dysfunctions on
normal cardiorespiratory physiology and function
 Examine and assess a patient with a medical or surgical respiratory condition, and
then formulate an evidence based treatment plan incorporating outcome measures
 Demonstrate and justify a safe and effective range of practical skills for the
physiotherapy management of patients with chronic respiratory disease and
patients undergoing general or thoracic surgery.
 Apply problem solving and clinical reasoning in a systematic approach to the
management of patients with cardiorespiratory problems
 Devise and implement rehabilitation programmes for patients with medical and
surgical respiratory conditions.
 Evaluate the effect of common respiratory pathologies on the patient, carers and
community from a physical, psychological and social perspective.
 Evaluate the research evidence and theoretical concepts that underpin the overall
management of patients with cardiorespiratory problems by the MDT.
 Demonstrate the application of ethical and legal issues relevant to physiotherapy
practice
Indicative Topics
Basic science:
Applied anatomy and physiology and normal values of the cardiovascular and
respiratory systems; (mechanics of respiration and ventilation; oxygen and carbon
dioxide transport; blood cell types, ventilation/perfusion matching)
Physiology of aerobic exercise.
Pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cystic fibrosis; lung cancer;
inflammatory responses; infection Effects of anaesthesia on body systems
Clinical features of cardiorespiratory disease.
Appropriate pharmacology
Professional issues
The role of the Physiotherapist within the MDT in the management of chronic
respiratory conditions and palliative care.
The role of the Physiotherapist in the education of patients and carers
Health promotion through smoking/cessation and exercise advice
Issues of bereavement and terminal illness
Best sites of intervention; MDT; community liaison services
Psychosocial issues
Concordance and non-concordance with treatment
Inequalities in health
Issues of aging
Spirituality and health
Issues of death and dying
Physiotherapy
Examination, assessment and appropriate outcome measures for patients with medical
respiratory conditions and those undergoing general and thoracic surgery (eg. lung
function tests, exercise tolerance tests, Quality of Life measures, CXR, auscultation)
Current physiotherapy treatments used in the management of these patients (eg.
increasing lung volume, sputum clearance, management of breathlessness).
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Patient education
Research skills
Learning will be achieved through the study of simulated patients. Examples;
A patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease having been referred by the
community team for treatment at home after a first time admission to hospital for an
acute exacerbation
A patient with cystic fibrosis who is admitted to hospital with an infection and had poor
concordance with treatment.
Teaching and
learning strategies
Learning support
A patient who has a thoracotomy for lung cancer and is now under the palliative care
team
PBL Tutorials
Resource sessions with subject specialists
Skills classes with subject specialists
Self-directed independent individual and group study
Module Handbook
Student Central
Relevant current literature, e.g.:
Buckley J, Holmes J, Mapp G. 1999 Exercise on Prescription, Butterworth Heinemann
Hough A. 2001. Physiotherapy in respiratory care. 3rd edition. London: Chapman and
Hall
Morgan M. and. Singh S. Eds. 1997. Practical pulmonary rehabilitation. London:
Chapman and Hall
Peebles, A et al Eds 2005. Cystic Fibrosis Care. Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Pryor J and Amani Prasad S. 2002. Physiotherapy for respiratory and cardiac problems.
Adults and Paediatrics. 3rd edition. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
Tortora, G.J. and Grabowski S.R.. 2006. Principles of anatomy and physiology. 11th
Edition. Harper Collins
West, J.B. 2004. Respiratory physiology – the essentials. 7th Edition. Williams and
Wilkins.
NICE Guideline CG12 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease;, 25 Feb 2004.
(http://guidance.nice.org.uk)
Pulmonary Rehabilitation. BTS Standards of Care Subcommittee on Pulmonary
rehabilitation. Thorax 2001;56:827-834.
Cystic Fibrosis Trust (www.cftrust.org.uk)
British Lung Foundation (www.lunguk.org)
Current and relevant journal articles
Assessment tasks
Brief description of
module content
and/or aims
(maximum 80
words)
Area examination
board to which
module relates
Module
team/authors/
coordinator
Semester offered,
where appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first
approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of
this version
Version number
Replacement for
previous module
Field for which
module is
acceptable and
status in that field
Course(s) for which
module is
acceptable and
status in course
School home
External examiner
Practical examination including viva voce (no longer than 60 minutes). The students will
be given a selection of patient scenarios in advance of the exam, for which they should
produce a problem list, treatment plan, appropriate outcome measures and notes
regarding the evidence base for their proposed treatment.
For the exam one of these cases will be selected and the student will demonstrate and
discuss the assessment and the treatment task. These practical components will be
followed by viva to discuss the interpretation, rationale and evidence base for the skills
demonstrated. All parts must be passed to successfully complete this module.
This module sets out to prepare students to manage patients with medical and surgical
respiratory conditions in the community, outpatient and inpatient settings. Long term
physiotherapy management of these patients is considered, as well as acute
management during exacerbations and post surgery.
MSc Rehabilitation Science course
Angela Glynn, Helen Fiddler, Sharon Sneddon,
Year 1, Trimester 1
Eastbourne
2003
January 2008
2
PT341 and part HEM 41
Compulsory for MSc Rehabilitation Science and all intermediate awards
School of Health Professions
Dr Gill James