Module Code - Title:
GM4081
-
PREHOSPITAL PHARMACOLOGY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module provides the student paramedic with the knowledge required to understand the principles of pharmacology. It also introduces the skills necessary to administer a range of drugs as per the Prehospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) medication matrix. The role of the paramedic in safe medication management is emphasized.
Syllabus:
Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Drug groups and their application to both primary care and the acute prehospital setting. Legal, ethical, and regulatory considerations and requirements. Class, presentation, indications, contraindications, special considerations, dosages, and routes of the medications listed on the prehospital emergency care council (PHECC) medication matrix. Skills required to administer drugs via regulator approved routes.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
List the regulator approved medications, paramedics may administer.
Consider interactions between commonly prescribed medications in the community.
Identify reactions and therapeutic effects of medications.
Outline the pre-administration checks required when administering medication.
Discuss the class, dose, route of administration, indications, contra-indications, side effects and mechanism of action of the regulator approved medications.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate safe administration of approved mediations in a simulated environment.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will participate in the learning environment by engaging in a variety of teaching and learning strategies e.g. lectures, discussions, group work, self-directed learning, recommended reading, reflection, challenge/problem based learning and practical demonstration. Discussion and collaborative activities through problem-based learning encourage inter and intrapersonal skills development and nurture the development of articulate graduates (Articulate). Problem based learning requires the learner to employ a variety of methods to problem solve, acquire knowledge and take an active role in their own learning (Agile and Curious).
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (2014)
STN015 -Paramedic Education and Training Standard
, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, Kildare
Kris Lethbridge, Richard Pilbery (2019)
Ambulance Care Practice
, Class Publishing
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (2021)
Clinical Practice Guidelines, Paramedic (updated June 2023)
, Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, Kildare
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
nathan.fleming@ul.ie