Course Catalogue

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This course will provide the student with a detailed insight into sepsis. As one of the leading causes of death worldwide, an understanding of sepsis is fundamental to Critical Care practice. The evolution of the consensus definitions for sepsis will be explored followed by essential pathophysiology, microbiology, clinical diagnosis and principles of management using the current literature.

A variety of teaching methods in the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be scheduled for students to complete over 12 weeks including: recorded lectures, live tutorials, webinars, and interactive patient cases. Throughout the course students will also be expected to engage in monitored discussion forums in the VLE to promote peer assisted learning.

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1. Written assignment. Maximum 2,500 words (80%)

2.Presentation (20%)

The course aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of sepsis, its pathobiology, how it manifests in clinical practice and how it is diagnosed with an appreciation for evolving definitions. Students will also develop in-depth knowledge of how sepsis is managed especially in a critical care environment with particular reference to Surviving Sepsis Guidelines.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Describe in detail the pathophysiology of sepsis

2. Formulate sophisticated judgments in relation to the diagnosis and management of septic patients

3. Critically appraise contemporary definitions of sepsis

4. Critically discuss the evolution of the surviving sepsis guidelines

5. Apply critical evaluation, analysis and synthesis to issues which are at the forefront of the management of

  sepsis.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.