PE4S235 - Polar and mountain healthcare considerations 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: PE4S235
Module Title: Polar and mountain healthcare considerations
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Nursing and Allied Health
Faculty Sub Group: Clinical Services
Module Leader: Karl New
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100260 - healthcare science
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to plan and execute a successful and safe expedition in a polar and/or mountain environment. To anticipate potential complications which may arise within cold and high altitude in respect both of the expedition participants and the treatments available.

Content Summary

Applying a systematic approach to the planning and execution of expeditions in cold and high-altitude environments considering the situational and environmental aspects to include clothing, equipment, storage of medicines, mental and physical health and wellbeing pre, in situ and post expedition.

Topics will typically include:

• Expedition & emergency planning
• Situational awareness
• Group health considerations in polar and mountain environments
• Medical kits
• Environmental medical considerations
• Mental health

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 100
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically interpret and apply the evidence base in the planning and management of the health considerations within a polar and mountain environment to minimise risk to health.
LO2 Develop and demonstrate skills to appraise, reflect upon and adapt treatments considering the constraints and considerations of the polar and mountain environment.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Assessment Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 End of Module examination 0 N/A 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 Reflective Journal 0 600 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 Completion of an individual or group project 0 N/A 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 Case based scenarios and discussion Forum 0 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Time-constrained assessment (Online) 1 ✔ ✔
Self Reflective Assessment 1 ✔ ✔
Project 1 ✔ ✔
Case study 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Auerbach, P.S. (2016). ‘Part 2’ in Auerbach, P.S., Cushing, T.A. and Harris, N.S., 2016. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. Elsevier Health Sciences.

mray, C. and Johnson, C. (2015). ’Mountains and High Altitude’ in Johnson, C., Anderson, S., Dallimore, J., Winser, S. and Warrell, D.A., 2008. Oxford handbook of expedition and wilderness medicine. OUP Oxford.

West, J., Schoene, R., Luks, A. and Milledge, J., 2012. High altitude medicine and physiology 5E. CRC Press.

Imray, C. and Davis, I. (2015). ’Cold Climates’ in Johnson, C., Anderson, S., Dallimore, J., Winser, S. and Warrell, D.A., 2008. Oxford handbook of expedition and wilderness medicine. OUP Oxford.