PMED2100 Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Communication Course description

The course concerns communication in demanding situations, conflict management and reactions to crises. Focus is on mental illness, substance abuse and relevant laws. Children as next of kin is also an important topic in the course.

The students must have passed the first year of the programme or equivalent, except the second part of the exam in drug calculations in the course PMED1300.

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

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures, simulation and skills training, seminars, study groups, written work and self-study.

Simulation and skills training is linked to challenging communication, conflict situations and breaking bad news.

The students work on two assignments during the course. The assignments are written in groups of up to three students, in the same group for both assignments. Feedback is given from the teacher once per assignment, provided that the assignments are submitted within the specified deadline. The assignments will later be included in the portfolio assessment (see assessment and exam).

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam: 

• Minimum attendance of 80% in student groups and seminars.
• Minimum attendance of 90% in simulation and skills training.

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.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

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.