Nursing care and treatment of patients with ulcers, 7.5 credits

Professional qualification as a nurse certified by the National Board of Health and Welfare. Alternatively, current enrollment at the Specialist Nursing Program for community health services at Karolinska Institutet.

The general aim of the course is for the student to deepen his/her knowledge and skills in the area of wound healing/wound treatment in acute and intractable wounds. On completion of the course, the student should be able to: - Understand and distinguish the phases of normal wound healing, and draw conclusions about the factors that affect these - Identify and reflect on healing inhibitory factors that affect wound healing - Explain risk factors and formation mechanisms of acute and intractable wounds - Reflect on and assess the effect of life quality and psychosocial aspects on healing progress in patients with acute and intractable wounds - Identify and suggest preventive measures - Apply theoretical knowledge of formation mechanisms and wound status to be able to choose, analyse and document nursing therapy based on a holistic perspective of the patient.

The course covers: - Normal wound healing - Risk factors and origin - Formation mechanisms in acute and intractable wounds - Nursing measures in wound treatment - Hygienic principles in wound healing - Quality of life - psychosocial aspects on wounds and wound treatment - Documentation - Patient education and current research and development - Practical exercises with Doppler diagnostics and compression treatment

The course is conducted both as campus-based education and as distance education and the working methods are based on a problem-oriented and student-activating approach to learning. The working methods aim at an active knowledge acquisition, problem-solving, critical analysis and reflection. The working methods are lectures, group discussions, proficiency training and individual studies. The distance education is IT based and is based on individual and collaborative learning. Different working methods such as individual study assignments, work in groups and seminars, and lectures occur.

The examination is based on learning outcomes and is carried out by an individual written presentation of a study assignment. All scheduled teaching is compulsory and requires the student's active participation for passing the course. In case of absence, it is student's duty to decide on supplementation together with the course director. A student without an approved result after three examinations can be offered to take the course once more. However, there are at most six examination opportunities for each course. Examination times are announced at the beginning of the course.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.