Postgraduate Diploma in Acute Medicine (Online Delivery)

You’ll study online for one calendar year. You’ll study six modules, each over six weeks:

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Emergencies

Module aims: To use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with cardio-respiratory conditions.

Module content: Guideline directed approach to the management of the patient with acute respiratory and cardiovascular disease to include management of severe hypertension, acute heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, thromboembolic disease, acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, acute asthma, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.

On completion of the module you will be able to:

• Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
• Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence based practice in acute cardiovascular and respiratory scenarios
• Appraise, reflect upon, and create ways forward in the management of patients presenting with acute cardio-respiratory conditions within the multi-disciplinary team

Diabetes and Endocrine Emergencies

Module aims: To develop an ability to manage complex cases presenting with a variety of acute diabetic and endocrine conditions, applying guideline and evidence based care in the management of acutely ill patients.

Module content: The management of the patient presenting with acute diabetic and endocrine disease including diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, hyperosmolar non-ketosis, acute hypercalcaemia, thyrotoxicosis, hypocalcaemia and adrenal crisis.

On completion of the module you will be able to:

• Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute endocrine conditions
• Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate evidence and guidance based strategies in the management of the acutely unwell patient with diabetes related conditions

Gastroenterological Emergencies

Module aims: To reformulate and use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to assess and manage complex cases, applying guideline and evidence based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with gastrointestinal conditions.

Module content: The management of the patient presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) illness including upper GI haemorrhage, acute abdominal pain, intractable vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, GI infections including dysentery and gastroenteritis together with the acute management of GI malignancy. Also managing acute liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy and cirrhosis.

On completion of the module you will be able to:

• Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) conditions
• Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence based practice and guideline based treatment in acute GI disorders

Acute Presentations with Infection and Sepsis

Module aims: To apply guideline and evidence based care in the management of acutely ill patients, facilitating the critical evaluation of actions, methods and results used in the management of acute infections.

Module summary: The management of patients presenting with acute bacterial, viral and fungal infection relating to all organ systems; management, investigation and diagnosis of sepsis and bacteraemia; and management of the immune compromised individual in relation to infection.

On completion of the module you will be able to:

• Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute infections
• Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate the presentation, cause and management of the immune-compromised patient in the acute medical setting
• Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence based practice and guideline based treatment with acute infections/sepsis

Acute Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Module aims: To develop a critical understanding of the assessment and management of acute neurological disorders and stroke, applying guideline and evidence based care in the management of acute neurological disorders and stroke.

Module summary: This module intends to cover the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders such as acute stroke, epilepsy, cerebral infections, cerebral haemorrhage/haematomas, venous sinus thrombosis, presentations with acute cerebral malignancy, dystonias, ataxias, acute neuronopathies/neuropathies and raised intracranial pressure.

On completion of the module you will be able to:

• Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management strategy employed in the investigation and treatment of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders
  Demonstrate a critical understanding of evidence-based practice and guideline based treatment in neurological disorders including stroke medicine

Acute Renal, Metabolic and Toxicological Emergencies

Module aims: To develop a critical understanding of the assessment and management of acute kidney, metabolic and toxicological disorders and apply guideline and evidence based care.

Module content: The management of toxicological emergencies such as overdose both accidental and non-accidental, acute drug reactions and anaphylaxis. The module will also cover the presentation of the patient with metabolic and renal issues to include acute kidney injury, acid-base disorders, hyperkalaemia and acute hyponatraemia. It will also touch upon the implementation of renal replacement therapy including dialysis.

On completion of the module you will be able to:

• Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the investigation and treatment of patients presenting with acute kidney disorders
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the assessment and management of overdose and acute metabolic disturbance
• Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence based practice and guideline based treatment in renal, metabolic and toxicological disorders

Although you’ll be learning online you will be part of a group with 10 to 15 other students. Your self-directed distance learning will be guided by tutor-stimulated discussion based on clinically rich case scenarios.

You’ll do a combination of individual and group projects, and you’ll have a reflective practice portfolio to help you consider how what you’re learning on the course can be translated into everyday work and practice.

You’ll have the support of a dedicated team who will help you with any challenges you may face - from help with navigating our online learning platform to advice on what you need to do to pass the course and meet deadlines.

Once you have secured your place on the course, you will be invited to an Online Induction Day Webinar. This will give you the opportunity to participate in study skills workshops on Harvard Referencing, scientific and reflective writings, and levels of evidence in preparation for your studies.

It is not compulsory for you to attend our Induction Day, but it is recommended as it’ll provide you with a sturdy introduction to the course.

The acute medicine course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment, embedding assessment within the learning process.

Each of the six modules has the same assessment format:

• Academic Forum - 40%
• Reflective Journal - 10%
• Group/individual activity - 20%
• Case based examination - 30%

You will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor who will facilitate clinical case discussions with the group and monitor, assess and mark your work throughout each module.

Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module, ideally on a daily basis.