Preamble

Regulations for the Post Graduate Diploma in Emergency Medical Care shall apply, subject to provisions of both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations. University and Faculty General Regulations take precedence over programme regulations. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a branch of special health practice that focuses on the management of a broad range of acute illnesses and injury in all age groups. A specialist in emergency medicine is a clinician who uses highly developed clinical reasoning skills to care for patients with acute and often undiagnosed medical problems, that is, before comprehensive clinical or diagnostic information is available. Emergency medical services are often referred to as: ambulance or paramedic services; services that require an urgent medical response or the provision of out-of-hospital treatment and transport to definitive care  They are also known as: a first aid squad, FAST squad (First Aid Stabilisation Team), emergency squad,  rescue squad, ambulance squad, ambulance corps,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_medical_services – cite_note-7 life squad, or by other acronyms such as Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (EMAS) or Medical Air Rescue Services MARS. In most places, the EMS can be summoned by members of the public (as well as medical facilities, other emergency services, businesses and authorities) via an emergency telephone number which puts them in direct contact with a control facility, which will then dispatch a suitable response  team to attend to  the situation. Road ambulances are the primary vehicles for delivering EMS, though some also use cars, motorcycles, aircraft or boats. As a first responder, the EMS provide treatment on the scene to those in need of urgent medical care. If it is deemed necessary, they are tasked with transferring the patient to the next point of care which is usually the emergency department of a hospital.

As a result of modern EMS or emergency medical services, countless lives have been saved through the provision of immediate medical care to people in emergencies such as heart attacks and accidents that would lead to death. Rescue operations therefore require a high degree of training and proficiency due to the intricacies involved with such emergency operations and the need to provide highly skilled and appropriate care during this period. The Post Graduate Diploma in Emergency Medical Care is designed to produce registered professionals with the appropriate knowledge and expertise to meet world standards. Their training is designed to enable the learner to contribute to the reduction of the morbidity and mortality of patients affected by life threatening or serious events.

The Post Graduate Diploma in Emergency Medical Care programme therefore aims to foster clinical decision making and professional autonomy with regards to practice as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP). It equips the learner with the knowledge and understanding required to practice as an independent practitioner within the Allied Health Professions Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ) scope of practice and applying protocols for the profession. It also aims to equip the learner with the skills required for reflective practice, autonomy and the principles of continuous education within the clinical pre-hospital realm.

The practical component of the training is to enable translation of theory into practice in a safe and ethically sound environment. It allows skill implementation and learning, according to both national and international standards of best practice, while being cognisant of patients’ safety. The subject prepares the learner in the practical content of pre-hospital emergency medical care according to the scope of practice, in simulated and real environments.

The Women’s University is in Partnership with MARS Zimbabwe in offering the Postgraduate Diploma Programme in Emergency Medical Care which aims at providing the student with the foundational, professional and clinical basis necessary for informing effective and competent pre-hospital practice. It also aims to inculcate the professional values and attitudes necessary in healthcare practice

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Subject to provisions of the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations for admission, the following entry requirements shall apply:

• ‘O’ Level or ‘A’ Level mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and computer literacy.
• Emergency Medical Care Degree and computer literacy
• A Degree in a Related Health Discipline and computer literacy
• A working experience of at least a year in the related fields is an added requirement.
• Registration with the Allied Health Professions Council or a relevant regulatory body is mandatory for the programme since no patient contact may occur without registration. Registration is the individual responsibility of the learner and not that of the University.

Duration of Programme

The Postgraduate Diploma in Emergency Medical Care shall take eighteen months (18) to complete. Courses will be offered through block release and weekend classes. Each academic year shall consist of two (2) semesters.

Objectives of the Programme

1. The programme is specifically designed to equip the student with the following knowledge skills and attitudes:
2. To equip the learner with an advanced knowledge of the content of prehospital emergency medical care discipline area as well as to form the attitudes, values and philosophies present in the discipline.
3. Impart the advanced principles of assessment, management and stabilisation of the acutely ill and injured patients in the non-hospital setting to students.
4. Provide competencies in EMC and the use of communication systems for effective and respectful communication with patients, families.
5. Provide learners with the skills to interact effectively with in-hospital and out-of-hospital healthcare team members in order to provide quality patient care.
6. Develop effective management and leadership skills among EMC professionals.
7. Provide knowledge of the principles of disaster management and how to respond appropriately and effectively in disaster situations.
8. Establish the unique role that pre-hospital transport plays in the healthcare system and provide skills in the use of various modes of patient transport, to move patients from one location to another.
9. Provide knowledge of ethical principles, laws, statutes and ordinances governing the activities of EMS.

Learning Outcomes

1. The graduate of the EMC Degree should demonstrate the following competencies:
2. Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking in the assessment and treatment of patients.
3. Work effectively with others as a member of the team, group, organisation and community within the context of providing emergency care and supporting other services.
4. Organise and manage self and own activities responsibly and effectively in the preparation and provision of emergency care.
5. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in the assessment and treatment of patients.
6. Examine and analyze the complex nature and seriousness of the patient’s condition or extent of injuries to assess the need for advanced emergency medical care, and perform complex medical care based on assessment findings of the patient’s condition and/or situation.
7. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills to accomplish optimal transfer of care.
8. Demonstrate an increased depth and breadth of patient care in the prehospital setting by applying principles from evidence-based research in emergency medicine.
9. Apply advanced knowledge and understanding of managing an emergency medical services system.

 Programme Structure

Emergency Care is a challenging and applied science studied, practiced and researched by people who are proud of the honour, discipline and traditions of emergency care provision in the country. The graduate of the Post Graduate diploma will engage in a range of activities that will require mental astuteness, courage and physical strength. Besides theoretical education, the student will spend a significant amount of time on practical skills training and simulated patient management in a Clinical Skills Laboratory. Therefore, the course will be delivered in a combination of learning methods including theoretical learning and practise through simulation at MARS and WUA, virtual learning and practical activities at other designated collaborating centres. Further clinical and practical skills will be obtained during and within the students working environment with follow up supervision. Mentoring visits in institutions of practice will be arranged.  Skills acquired will build on what was done in the previous year of studyfrom basic medical rescue into technical rescue and heavy rescue with the foundations set in the prior years. The learner will therefore be able to adequately apply an integration of theoretical principles, proven techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures and appropriate skills in accordance with the subject outcomes.

Courses on Offer

Year 1 (Semester 1)

Basic Communication Skills

Cardiovascular Emergencies

Respiratory Pathophysiology, Critical Care & Resuscitation

Airway and Ventilatory Support and Mechanical Ventilation

Neurological Emergencies

Obstetric and Gynaecological Emergencies

Clinical Decision Making, Decoding Medical Test Results and Telemedicine

Year 1 (Semester II)

Introduction to Gender Studies

Paediatrics Emergencies

Aviation Medicine, Fire, Search and Water Rescue

Environmental Emergencies, Hazardous Substances & Decontamination

Risk Assessment Disaster Preparedness and Mass Casualty Management

Leadership, Management and Training and in EMC

Research Methods 1

Year 2 (Semester 1)

Clinical Attachment/internship (1month)

Research Project

Clinical Audit

Entrepreneurial Skills

NON-CORE COURSES

• Entrepreneurial Skills
• Basic Communication Skills
• Introduction to Gender studies