PMED2100 Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Communication Course description

The module deals with quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to the field of prosthetics and orthotics and thus to the basis for evidence-based practice. The topics from this module continue in several subsequent modules in the programme that deal with research design, data collection, data analysis and research ethics in the field. Knowledge of reliability, construct validity and internal and external validity as a basis for critical reading of research articles and other sources will be emphasised.

The table below shows the subjects by the module, with credits specified:

• Theory of science and research methods (9,5 credits)
• Ethics (0,5 credits)
• Total credits: 10 credits

The student must have passed the first year of the programme.

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

Knowledge

The student

• can recognise and describe different challenges relating to patients’ mental health
• can explain the effects´ of pharmaceuticals in the treatment of mental illness
• has knowledge of pharmaceuticals and drugs that can lead to addiction
• can recognise patients with substance abuse issues and has knowledge of conflict management in dealings with people under the influence of intoxicating substances
• can describe signs of neglect, violence, abuse and substance use when encountering patients and next of kin
• can recognise stress and crisis reactions in patients, next of kin and health care workers and explain how to respond to such reactions
• can describe communicative challenges in dealings with patients with serious mental health issues
• can describe conflict management in situations involving threats and violence
• can describe conflict management in dealings with people under the influence of intoxicating substances
• can describe self-defence, the principle of necessity and the interface between paramedics and the police

Skills

The student

• can use knowledge of laws, regulations and rules relating to health care workers and patients, with particular focus on patients with mental illness, substance abuse, the duty of confidentiality and the duty to report
• can use knowledge about mental health and suicide in dealings with patients
• can use knowledge about substance abuse in dealings with patients
• can identify and take care of patients with mental health challenges
• can identify and take care of patients with substance and addiction issues
• can assess patients’ mental capacity and ability to consent in clinically complex situations
• can, based on simulated situations, break bad news in a respectful and caring manner
• can identify and take care of children as next of kin
• can communicate in a safe and efficient manner that fosters good relations with patients, next of kin and others, particularly children as next of kin and patients

General competence

The student

• can recognise and reflect on ethical and communicative challenges in dealings with patients in distress
• can recognise turbulent situations and prevent them from escalating
• can communicate in a safe and efficient manner that fosters good relations with patients, next of kin, colleagues and partners
• can apply different models for decision-making, communication and interaction

After completing the module, 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 the use of systematic literature review and relevant quantitative research methods
• knowledge of interviews as a qualitative research method and of qualitative research methodology
• knowledge of credibility, reliability and validity

Skills

The student is capable of

• collecting and analysing quantitative individual data
• collecting and analysing qualitative individual data
• reflect on the aquisition and analysis of individual data
• presenting analysis results
• searching for and reading research articles and other sources critically

General competence

The student is capable of

• identifying potential research ethical issues in research articles

The work and teaching methods used vary between seminars, skills training, lectures, digital resources, student cooperation and self-study.

Portfolio exam in groups of up to 3 students. The portfolio shall consist of two written assignments, with a total scope of up to 5500 words.

One overall grade is given for the portfolio.

New exam: If the portfolio is assessed to grade F (failed), the group has the opportunity to submit a revised version once.

The following coursework requirement must be met before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 80 % at seminars, literature searches, computer lab and group work

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Portfolio comprising one individual assignment and three group assignments written in groups of two or three students. Maximum total scope: 7,500 words. Weighting: all assignments count equally, but the overall grade will be an F if an F is awarded for one of the assignments.

Resit exam: The student must rework the portfolio assignment(s) for which an F was awarded.

All answers are assessed by one examiner. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

7.5 credits overlap with the course PARA2100 Ethics, Conflict and Crisis Management in Accident and Emergency Medicine.