Medical and Surgical Care

Learning Outcomes:

Competences:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

• Critically analyse and apply the principles of systematic patient assessment in medical and surgical settings based on advanced knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.
• Differentiate the underlying pathophysiological processes, aetiology and clinical manifestations relating to complex disease presentations in medical and surgical settings.
• Critically appraise the evidence base underpinning safe and effective treatment, interventions and nursing practice in surgical and medical clinical environments.
• Demonstrate evidence-based care to maximise health outcomes for patients in medical and surgical care setting, practising safe, effective, ethical, person-centred, holistic care; including identification and management of the deteriorating patient and health promotion.
• Critically reflect on the communication and interpersonal skills required to work in partnership with patients, their families and with other professionals in a medical and surgical care setting, demonstrating effectiveness.

Knowledge:

By the end of this module the student will have been exposed to the following indicative content:

• The responsibilities of the nurse within the Medical and Surgical Health Setting as established by ‘The Scope of Professional Practice’ of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta (CNM).
• The legal and ethical considerations and practices in medical and surgical care: Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta.
• Principles of Basic Clinical Nursing Skills practices in a Medical and Surgical setting.
• General anatomy and physiology of the human body.
• Caring for a patient with Respiratory Problems – Pneumonia Asthma, COPD.
• Caring for a patient with Cardiac Problems – Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure.
• Caring of a patient with Gastrointestinal Problems.
• Caring for a patient suffering from diabetes mellitus.
• CPR procedures.
• Pre and Post operative Care.
• Pain Control and Relief.
• Legal Documentation.
• Beliefs and Cultural Practices in medical and surgical care.
• Introducing an integrated holistic approach to patient/client care in medical and surgical care: physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
• Effective communication styles, skills and techniques when working with a medical/surgical team towards a common goal.
• The different roles and responsibilities of team members and their interdependency in a medical and surgical context.

Skills:

By the end of this module, the students will be able to:

• Demonstrate appropriate skills for observation, caring and reassurance of medical patients and surgical patients pre and post operatively using a holistic approach according to the ethical and legal framework of the Maltese Professional Code of Conduct.
• Use appropriate skills to assess patients on admission demonstrating observations and effective use of proper documentation of the present situation.
• Relate, and follow ward policies and procedures.
• Plan potential discharge of the patient.
• Be familiar with the rationale, administration and side effects of pharmacological products used in medical and surgical settings.
• Analyse different approaches to patient’s care in medical and surgical context.
• Recognise the differences in beliefs and cultural practices in medicine and surgery practices.
• Evaluate best practices in nursing care in medical and surgical context.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients in a medical and surgical health setting and to communicate with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary team.

Module-Specific Learner Skills:

At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to

• Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
• Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences: 

At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:

• Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.