Skip to main content

University of Exeter Medical School

Special Environment - Ocean

Module titleSpecial Environment - Ocean
Module codeHPDM085
Academic year2021/2
Credits15
Module staff

Alex Rowe (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

1 week, May

Number students taking module (anticipated)

15

Module description

The optional Ocean Medicine module will give you the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge needed to perform as a medic at sea.

Module aims - intentions of the module

In this module, you will develop the skills and knowledge required for the maritime environment. You will develop your understanding of the risks, hazards, technical skills and medical knowledge needed to function safely as a medical provider in this environment. You will focus not only on the evaluation of health issues to be expected in the field, but also the planning and preparation phases, including boat handling, and search and rescue techniques. You will reflect in more depth on the ethical, professional and legal challenges of delivering medical care in maritime environments.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate an understanding of expected medical conditions and challenges associated with the maritime environment and diverse activities undertaken here.
  • 2. Evaluate changing environmental hazards and apply your conclusions to planning of medical interventions and rescue efforts.
  • 3. Demonstrate knowledge, planning and application of maritime search and rescue techniques, then synthesise safe rescue and evacuation plans. This will involve critical appraisal of current techniques, limitations and dynamic risk assessment.
  • 4. Evaluate and reflect on medical search and rescue team formation, and critically appraise the success or failures of these teams during the practical challenges during this module.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Demonstrate a knowledge and application of crew resource management in medical teams
  • 6. Critically review the difference between environment specific skills and generic skills, and reflect on the significance of this when analysing personal development and learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 7. Demonstrate a mature knowledge base and skill level to enable safe inclusion as an active team member in expedition groups.
  • 8. Demonstrate a mature clinical and logistical decision making approach to expedition work.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

 

Powerboat handling

Maritime navigation

Tides and interpretation

Weather planning

Radio communication

Search and rescue resources

Basic search and rescue theory

Dive equipment

Ocean and cold water swimming

Nutrition

Dermatological conditions at sea

Hypothermia and rewarming

Hyperthermia

Immersion, submersion and drowning

Dive medicine

Maritime bites and envenomation’s

Helicopter operations

Fracture management

Ocean medical kits

Emergency signalling

Human factors and team dynamics at sea

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
501000

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching50Residential course in a UK coastal area- seminars, master-classes, practical exercises. Practical exercises are scenario based and of evolving complexity and duration, using the reality of the environment to add fidelity.
Guided Independent Study100Reading and preparation for scheduled sessions and coursework

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Facilitated debriefs20 minutes per scenario, estimated 120 minutes over the residential course element.1-6,8Rolling group debriefs during and after practical challenges sessions.
Peer and faculty feedback20 minutes8Personal debrief

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Masters level written assignment100Equivalent to 2000 words of written assignment1-8Written
0
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Masters level written assignment (100%)Masters level written assignment (equivalent to 2000 words)1-8Typically within six weeks of the result

Re-assessment notes

Resubmission of original assignment with corrections to bring it up to a pass standard.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine. 2nd Edition Chris Johnson, Sarah R Anderson, Jon Dallimore, Chris Imray, Shane Winser, James Moore and David A. Warrell—Oxford University Press, May 2015. ISBN: 978-01-996-88418-0 

ABC of Prehospital Emergency Medicine. Tim Nutbeam (Editor), Matthew Boylan (Editor). BMJ Books September 2013.

ISBN: 978-0-470-65488-0 

Auerbach’s Wilderness Medicine, 7th Edition. Paul Auerbach, Tracy Cushing, N Stuart Harris

Elsevier. October 2016 978-0-323-37757-7

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Marine Guidance Notes : https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-guidance-notices-mgns#mgns:-300s

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

NQF level (module)

7

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Last revision date

19/09/19