Advanced Clinical Skills – Cardiac Skills for Frailty Pathway

This 4-hour workshop on Cardiac Care for the Frailty Pathway aims to equip healthcare professionals in the Nursing, Midwifery, and Allied Health Professions workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively assess and manage patients with complex cardiac long-term conditions. Delegates will explore treatment options, ethical dilemmas, and collaborative approaches to care, particularly at the end of life.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:

Assess and Manage Complex Cardiac Conditions: Conduct thorough assessments and develop management plans for patients with complex cardiac long-term conditions.
Evaluate Treatment Options: Analyse pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options and their impact on patient prognosis and quality of life.
Understand Implantable Devices: Recognise the role of implantable devices in the management of cardiac patients, particularly concerning end-of-life considerations.
Navigate Ethical Dilemmas: Discuss ethical dilemmas in caring for patients at the end of life and apply decision-making frameworks in clinical practice.
Integrate Collaborative Care: Implement strategies for interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication in managing frail patients with cardiac conditions.

Welcome & Introductions

Assessment and Management of Complex Cardiac Conditions

Overview of common complex cardiac long-term conditions (e.g., heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease).
Assessment techniques and management strategies.
Importance of a holistic approach in frail patients.

Prognosis and Symptom Benefit of Treatments

Pharmacological treatments: medications, mechanisms of action, and expected outcomes.
Non-pharmacological treatments: lifestyle modifications, cardiac rehabilitation, and palliative care approaches.

Awareness of Implantable Devices at End of Life

Overview of common implantable devices (e.g., pacemakers, defibrillators, left ventricular assist devices).
Role of these devices in end-of-life care and decision-making.

BREAK

Ethical Dilemmas in Cardiac End-of-Life Care

Ethical considerations in managing care for patients with advanced cardiac conditions at end of life.
Decision-making frameworks and considerations for patient autonomy and best interests.

Integration of Care: Collaborative Approaches

The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in managing complex cardiac patients.
Strategies for effective communication and teamwork in the frailty pathway.

Wrap-Up and Q&A Session

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