Program Overview

Assessment and Management of Patients with Acute and Chronic Heart Failure

University Certificate in Postgraduate Professional Development

Overview

Developed with expert clinicians, working at the forefront of heart failure care. Enhance your evidenced-based knowledge of heart failure, gaining clinical insights and expert guidance from professionals within working within the field. Apply advanced knowledge in providing optimal care and improving outcomes for patients with heart failure in clinical practice. Studying online allows flexible learning for those working full-time in practice.

Course Details

What You Study

• Epidemiology and aetiology of the heart failure syndrome.
• Pathophysiology of heart failure, including cardiomyocyte biology in heart failure and ventricular remodelling.
• Disturbance of haemodynamic homeostasis and neurohormonal activation, their importance in the development of cardiovascular pathology and the syndrome of heart failure.
• Identification, assessment and holistic management of patients with dilated and non-dilated ventricles, new onset heart failure, acute decompensated heart failure and advanced heart failure in line with current national and international guidance.
• Clinical features to support diagnosis of heart failure – diagnostic work-up history, physical examination findings and investigations.
• Holistic management, including first line, second line and third line therapies in heart failure, and managing multiple co-morbidities.
• Titration and monitoring of diuretics and neurohormonal antagonists with surveillance of signs and symptoms of clinical instability, renal dysfunction and electrolyte disturbance.
• The importance of non-pharmacological and pharmacological management.
• Prevention in heart failure, including barriers to adherence and risk factors for hospitalisation.
• Management of acute decompensated heart failure.
• Clinical features of clinical stability and loss of clinical stability in heart failure.
• The disease trajectory in heart failure.
• Principles of patient-centred care in heart failure throughout the disease trajectory.
• Assessment and preparation for discharge from hospital admission.
• Management of advanced heart failure and principles of palliative care in heart failure.
• Principles of team management in the care of heart failure patients.
• The principles of comprehensive education and counselling needs of heart failure patients.
• Assessment of quality of life, psychological problems and others in relation to heart failure.
• Specific behavioural strategies to enhance adherence to heart failure therapeutic regimes.

How You Learn

You learn through our online platform, giving you flexibility in accessing learning materials and completing self-directed assignments. Learning is delivered by a team of academic and clinical staff, including senior lecturers, consultant cardiologists, specialist nurses, general practitioners and physiotherapists. You learn through a variety of methods, including:

• presentations
• case studies
• quizzes
• self-directed reading
• group tutorials
• case based discussions.

How You Are Assessed

You are assessed by a 4,000-word case study demonstrating a systematic and critical approach to the clinical decision making in relation to the management and holistic care of a patient suffering with heart failure, in line with current best practice guidelines. Two group tutorials are held online to discuss the final assessment and provide feedback. You also complete preliminary assessments, such as quizzes and case-based discussions. You are expected to perform regular self-assessment and to address your learning needs.

Entry Requirements

Open to registered healthcare professionals who are involved in caring for patients with heart failure.

Employability

You gain evidence-based knowledge within the field which could increase employability for a specialised or advanced role.

Part-time Entry

• Fee for applicants: £855
• Length: 10 weeks
• Weekly
• Start date: March
• Level: Master's

Service User and Carer Involvement

Service users and carers support all aspects of our students' lifecycle from recruitment to graduation.