James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

TM5566 - Essential Skills in Aeromedical Retrievals

Subject Description

This subject provides students with the knowledge and skills to successfully provide clinical care in the aeromedical retrieval environment. Basic principles of aeromedical care will be reviewed and form the contextual environment for the subject. This will cross the spectrum of care from patient management, whether that is pre hospital or at the bedside in the referring hospital through to inflight care and the handover process at the end of the mission. Specific areas of clinical care likely to be encountered in aeromedical retrievals will be examined in detail. This will consist of best practise and the theory underpinning this. How this best practice may vary between the hospital situation and the aeromedical environment as a result of aviation physiology, flight characteristics or aircraft configuration will be reviewed and students will be aided in understanding the rationale for this. There will also be a focus on the impact of the aeromedical environment on equipment used and procedures performed with respect to selection, outcomes and use. The subject will provide students with not just the knowledge and practical skills to achieve this but also the knowledge, evidence and theory underpinning this to help promote the deeper level of understanding expected of leaders in the field.

Learning Outcomes

• critically analyse the role of pre hospital/ primary retrievals in the aeromedical environment
• analyse the common trauma and medical conditions and key clinical procedures likely to be encountered/ required in pre hospital/ primary aeromedical environment
• analyse the role of the aeromedical retrieval service with reference to key partner relationships and site organisation for pre hospital mass casualty incidents and disasters
• analyse the principles of personal safety, aircraft safety, pre departure preparation, leadership and crew resource management for aeromedical retrievals
• compare and contrast the differences between standard hospital based health care and all phases of pre hospital/ primary aeromedical retrievals

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (15%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Examination (College administered) - (40%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Simulation activity - (15%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Special Assessment Requirements

Submit all items of assessment and obtain an overall (cumulative) total mark of 50% or more; You must also attend a 3 day face-to-face mini block

Assumed Knowledge:  Student must have previous knowledge regarding provision of medical care in critical care settings. This subject DOES NOT teach critical care medicine. It teaches application of critical care medicine in the unique retrieval environment.

Availabilities