Module information
Details
- Title
- Presentation and Management of Asthma
- Type
- Stage Two
- Module code
- HPS159
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Module objective
By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST, with respect to the diagnosis, presentation and management of the adult and adolescent patients with stable asthma, will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply their knowledge, to be competent to carry out specialist assessment and form a structured differential diagnosis of causes leading to appropriate further investigation and effective management, within the scope of a Consultant Clinical Scientist.
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will analyse, synthesise, evaluate and critically apply their expert knowledge required with respect to the:
- causes of asthma.
- investigation of asthma.
- differential diagnosis of asthma, including from other causes of wheeze such as vocal cord dysfunction, hyperventilation, laryngeal disease, foreign body, tumour, COPD and obliterative bronchiolitis.
- factors which may be associated with poor asthma control, including smoking, environmental factors, psychosocial factors, drugs, poor inhaler technique, poor compliance, chronic rhinosinusitis, ABPA, bronchiectasis and gastro-oesophageal reflux.
- treatment and management of patients with stable asthma.
- principles of mechanical ventilation in asthma.
- pharmacology of drugs used in asthma.
- complications, including ABPA and bronchiectasis.
- relevant guidelines.
- patient education and self management.
- factors impacting management at the transition between childhood/teenage and adult care.
Technical and clinical skills
By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST, with respect to the patient with stable asthmas, will be expected to critically reflect and apply in practice a range of clinical and communication skills to advise and communicate effectively with stable asthma, relevant clinicians, patients and the public and other healthcare professionals and will:
- gain informed consent.
- take a thorough, focused history within limits of respiratory practice.
- elicit relevant and appropriate physical signs within Consultant Clinical Scientist scope of practice.
- plan appropriate investigations in collaboration with medical colleagues where necessary.
- formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis and management plan.
- interpret appropriate Lung Function Tests.
- collaborate with patient to produce an appropriate management plan.
- use of inhaled and nebulised drug therapy, including recognising importance of good inhaler technique.
- management options for refractory disease.
Attitudes and behaviours
By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations demonstrating the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist working within the limits of professional competence referring as appropriate to senior staff and will:
- appreciate the importance of taking a detailed history to determine factors contributing to poor asthma control.
- appreciate the importance of checking inhaler technique and treatment compliance.
- recognise asthma as a chronic condition requiring ongoing care in the appropriate (primary/secondary/tertiary) care setting.
- establish a trusting Consultant Clinical Scientist-patient relationship.
- recognise importance of appropriately trained nurses and other health care professionals in long term care.