This comprehensive course provides in-depth teaching in the principles and practice of neurocritical care, focusing on the evaluation and management of critically ill patients with neurological and neurosurgical disorders. Topics include the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions such as traumatic brain injury, vascular brain injury, status epilepticus, spinal cord injury, neuromuscular respiratory failure, and brain death and organ donation. The course integrates multidisciplinary approaches and emphasizes neuroimaging, neuro-monitoring, sedation and analgesia, prognostication, and ethical considerations. Designed for healthcare professionals working within the speciality of neurocritical care, the course combines lectures, case discussions, and simulated learning in practice to enhance clinical decision making and leadership skills.

Available as a standalone module: Yes

Attendance (Please note, this is subject to change for future intakes)

Dates: For attendance information, please see the top of this page. Please note, if the module is full or closed for the intake(s) this academic year, dates may not appear. 

Venue: LSBU Southwark Campus

Typical intake(s): Semester 2

Career Benefits

The module aims to enable an individual practitioner to have broader neurological speciality competence skills in line with the national competency framework so that they can progress and meet the needs of the future NHS as outlined in the NHS 10-year health pan (DH 2025) and the HEE agenda for Clinical Academic Careers Framework (HEE 2015).

The module encompasses multiprofessional working and a sharing of expertise and skills across traditional professional boundaries and fields as new services and roles are being developed to meet current and future challenges for service delivery. Completion of this module should help the practitioner to be in a better position to progress in their career. 

Assessment

• Viva Voce

Assessment/submission date: See attendance dates

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:     

• The student will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of the underpinning care rationale and knowledge of the issues related to neurocritical care and the interface between different fields.
•  The student will gain critical understanding of how government policy and initiative’s impact on and relate to clinical practice in relation to patient safety, clinical effectiveness, and patient experience.

Intellectual skills:

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills in the analysis and evaluation of literature and in managing patient care situations.
• Demonstrate research evaluation and utilise a range of evidence to inform patient care
• Identify deficits in service provision and formulate proposals to meet identified need.
• Integrate and synthesize diverse knowledge in relation to patient assessment and history taking. 

Practical Skills:

• Demonstrate an applied understanding of the management of a neurocritically ill patient.
• Demonstrate an ability to utilise decision making skills in complex clinical situations.
• Demonstrate presentation skills using appropriate IT technology. 

Transferable skills

• Demonstrate excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrate independent learning as part of a lifelong learning strategy.
• Critically reflect upon their role within the multidisciplinary team and collaborate effectively with others.
• Critically reflect upon professional and personal values.