PARA1000 Communication, Ethics and Culture Course description

The point of departure for this course is the scientific, social and humanistic basis for well-functioning health services that benefit both the patients and society as a whole. The course will particularly focus on knowledge and skills that promote respect, empathy, reflection, cooperation and good communication. Practical training in life-saving first aid is also included in the course. These are basis skills in prehospital work that are suitable for developing relational competence.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of key concepts in professional communication in health care
• is familiar with the history and tradition of emergency medicine and the development of the paramedic profession
• has knowledge of health care work in a multicultural society
• has knowledge of ethical theories and different ethical methods and is familiar with professional ethics issues
• is familiar with the legislation governing the health service
• has knowledge of the Health Personnel Act
• has knowledge of the duty of confidentiality
• is familiar with evidence-based practice
• is familiar with physical, mental, cognitive and behavioural reactions to stress and how to cope with them
• is familiar with peer support schemes

Skills

The student

• is capable of reflecting on the roles of patient and paramedic from ethical and health science perspectives
• is capable of identifying conflicts and using different ethics methodology tools
• is capable of identifying ethical issues linked to a multicultural society
• is capable of demonstrating basic communication skills
• is capable of identifying normal stress reactions in him/herself, in colleagues, patients and next of kin
• is capable of demonstrating life-saving first aid skills
• is capable of writing a log based on observational practice

General competence

The student

• has insight into relevant issues in prehospital work and is capable of reflecting on his/her role as a paramedic student in the health service
• is capable of reflecting on ethical and communicative challenges in a multicultural society
• is capable of communicating and cooperating with fellow students and the teaching staff

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures, simulation and skills training, observational practice, seminars, study groups and self-study. Some lectures may be held jointly for several of the health science programmes at the faculty.

Practical training

The students do approximately two days (16 hours) of observational practice at a nursing home and approximately three days (24 hours) in the ambulance service. The students also carry out simulation and skills training in life-saving first aid.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 80% at seminars and study groups
• minimum attendance of 90% at simulation and skills training
• minimum attendance of 90% in observational practice, ambulance
• minimum attendance of 90% in observational practice, nursing home
• individual written reflection note of 800 words (+/- 10%)
• practical test in life-saving first aid

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Oral exam in groups, up to 40 min. Group size: up to 7 students.

The exam comprises a talk/presentation (approx. 20-30 min.) with subsequent examination (approx. 10-20 min.). The students will be assigned a topic for their presentation one week before the exam.

All.

Pass/fail

All exams will be assessed by two examiners, of whom at least one shall be external.