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).

Students taking the course must have a thorough knowledge of advanced calculus, including ordinary and partial differential equations. The student should also be familiar with linear algebra and Fourier and Laplace transform theory. In terms of programming, the candidate should have some experience in implementing numerical methods, including schemes for solving partial differential equations.

The candidate should also have a certain knowledge of mathematical analysis, modern physics or physiology – depending on specialization.

The course will be offered once a year, provided 3 or more students sign up for the course. If less than 3 students sign up for a course, the course will be cancelled for that year.

None.

Students who complete the course are expected to have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of the course, the student:

• knows how mathematical models can be derived from facts and first principles.
• has a repertoire of methods to solve and/or analyse both ordinary differential equation (ODE) systems and certain partial differential equations (PDEs).
• is able to apply analytical and/or numerical solution methods for PDEs to models of heat transfer, wave propagation and diffusion-convection and discuss the relevance of these models to real-world phenomena.
• is able to construct and develop relevant models and discuss the validity of the models.

Skills

On successful completion of the course, the student can:

• can determine steady states of ODE systems and use linear approximation to elucidate the stability properties of these states.
• can solve and/or analyse selected PDE models.
• is able to implement and use some numerical methods for solving relevant PDEs.
• can devise the solution of certain composite quantitative problems.
• can disseminate results and findings in an accessible manner – both orally and in writing.

General competence

• is aware of the usefulness and limitations of mathematical modelling as well as of pitfalls frequently encountered in modelling and simulation.
• is able to discuss properties of a system using the equations of the mathematical model that describes the system.
• can explain and use numerical methods, know their strengths and weaknesses and interpret results of numerical simulations.

The teaching is organised as sessions where the subject material is presented, and as sessions where the students solve problems using analytical and/or numerical methods. Between these sessions, the students should work individually with literature studies and problem solving.

In the last, specialised part, the students are required to complete and present a rather extensive individual project involving theoretical and practical/implementational aspects.

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

• Completion of an extensive individual project in the specialised module.

An individual, oral examination. The examination will address both general topics from within the course and the specific project developed by the student.

The oral examination cannot be appealed.