University of Technology Sydney

94921 Cardiopulmonary and Respiratory Conditions

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Students completing this subject consolidate and advance their knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and respiratory systems, as well as develop clinical, epidemiological, pathophysiological, and pathomechanical knowledge of cardiopulmonary and respiratory conditions (e.g., coronary and peripheral arterial disease, pulmonary and cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema, etc.). Students expand their practical skills in clinical assessment, exercise selection, prescription, delivery, progression, monitoring, modification, and case management, by adopting evidenced-informed practice and applying scientific knowledge. In this subject, students prepare for their clinical placement, accreditation, and professional practice using critical thinking and clinical reasoning to deliver optimal outcomes within a person-centred approach.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
1. Apply, integrate, and adapt knowledge and skills of anatomy, pathophysiology, and pathomechanics of the cardio-vascular system, pulmonary system, and respiratory system.
2. Apply appropriate screening, risk management strategies, and behaviour change principles to safely create, prescribe, implement, and evaluate effective interventions for people with cardiopulmonary and respiratory conditions to optimise health outcomes.
3. Apply evidence-informed practice and professional decision-making to optimise person-centred care across cardiopulmonary and respiratory conditions.
4. Effectively and respectively communicate with clients and other relevant professionals that results in shared decision-making through collaborative and interprofessional cardiovascular, pulmonary, and respiratory health practice.
5. Engage with ongoing personal and professional self-development and reflective practice as it pertains to cardiopulmonary and respiratory conditions.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Engage with ongoing personal and professional self-development and reflective practice (1.1)
  • Develop ongoing interprofessional, innovative and collaborative practice. (1.2)
  • Apply, integrate, and adapt knowledge and skills to optimise health outcomes across a broad range of face-to-face and digital services. (2.1)
  • Apply appropriate risk management strategies and behaviour change principles to safely prescribe, implement, and evaluate effective interventions for clients across the full health spectrum. (2.2)
  • Apply evidence-informed practice and professional decision-making to optimise person-centred care. (2.3)
  • Effectively and respectively communicate with clients and other professionals to facilitate shared decision making. (2.4)

Teaching and learning strategies

Learning in this subject is designed to place students at the centre of the learning experience, in part through the use of a range of modes and activities. Six online modules will form the foundations of the subject, which will be complemented by adjacent face-to-face classes (tutorials and practicals) that will allow the student to put their learnings into practice. The subject content will be delivered in the online platform Canvas. This will include discussion forums and other activities, allowing students to engage with the content and peers, throughout the learning. These activities and discussions will also foster the development of self-discovery/self-directed learning skills, as well as critical thinking skills. They will challenge students to consider how they can apply learnt concepts to real world environments. In order to be prepared for the planned face-to-face classes, students are encouraged to engage with the content on at least a weekly basis. Content will remain available past the specific delivery week; however, students will be expected to cover each module on a week-to-week basis. Students will be required to communicate information and demonstrate their understanding in a variety of formats, including written and verbal forms. Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the application of what they have learned, with individual feedback provided following each of the three assessment tasks.

Content (topics)

Module 1 - Introduction to 94921

- Week 1: Introductory module

- Week 2: Cardiorespiratory anatomy and pathophysiology

Module 2: Cardiovascular risk and assessment

- Week 3: Hypertension and Electrocardiography

- Week 4: Common cardiovascular exercise assessment procedures

Module 3: Cardiovascular diseases

- Week 5: Atherosclerotic Conditions; Acute Coronary Syndromes (i.e., Myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease), and Peripheral Artery Disease

- Week 6: Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), valvular disease, and other cardiomyopathies

- Week 7: Congenital heart disease and other cardiac conditions

- Week 8: Cardiovascular case studies

Module 4: Respiratory risk and assessment

- Week 9: Common respiratory exercise assessment

Module 5: Respiratory disease

- Week 10: Pulmonary Hypertension, Asthma, and COPD (emphysema & chronic bronchitis)

- Week 11: Cystic Fibrosis, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

- Week 12: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, COVID-19, and Case Studies

Module 6: Review of Semester

- Week 13: Review of Semester

Assessment

Assessment task 1: OSCE - Assessment and Rehabilitation

Intent:

The purpose of this OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) assessment is to evaluate students' application of knowledge in anatomy, pathophysiology and evidence-based exercise physiology practice. It will assess students skills in exercise testing, prescription, and professional decision-making, aligning with weeks 1-6 coursework on cardiovascular conditions.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4

Type: Demonstration
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Criteria:

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided as a marking rubric.

Assessment task 2: Case Study Presentation: Pulmonary and Respiratory, Assessment and Rehabilitation

Intent:

The purpose of this case study presentation assessment is to evaluate students' application of knowledge related to pulmonary and respiratory conditions, covered in weeks 8-12.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Criteria:

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided as a marking rubric.

Assessment task 3: Written examination

Intent:

The purpose of this written examination is to assess students' comprehensive understanding of theoretical and practical material related to the unit. This assessment aims to evaluate students' knowledge accumulation throughout weeks 1-12.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

2.1, 2.2 and 2.3

Type: Examination
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 35%
Criteria:

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided as a marking rubric.

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts.

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, old exam papers, academic writing guides, health literature databases, workshops, a gaming room and bookable group study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with all your questions.
W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.

The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.

The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.