Introduction
This module provides an introduction to the pathophysiology and management of fractures and then provides an overview of the most common upper limb fractures, teaching students.
Content Contributors:
Author: Dr Daniel Chepurin
EDITOR: Dr Phillip St Flour
CONTENT APPROVAL: Dr Michael Hunter
Version History Version
Version 1 – 4 May 2020
It requires 30 minutes preparation.
It can be taught in 1 hour
Teaching approach
As with all modules, familiarise yourself with the NPMT principles.
this session aims to cover:
To understand basic healing principles of bone that guide management decisions
To apply anatomy to guide history and examination of upper limb fractures
To be able to identify some common upper limb fractures that present to the emergency department
To understand which upper limb fractures may need surgical fixation or immediate orthopaedic involvement
Tips & Tricks on running an effective session:
Be as interactive as possible
Encourage discussion of cases students have been exposed to, or questions they may have encountered in their reading
If you are unsure of the answer to questions, indicate sources that could be consulted by students and strategies to solve this question were you to encounter it on the wards
Things to include :
When to escalate and who to escalate to – calling a rapid response
Early management and investigation principles - Being crystal clear on the appearance of a GI bleed and discussing it with patients so they know what you’re asking e.g. appearance of melaena
Things to avoid:
Spending too much time discussing particular conditions ion depth & getting weighed down with too much detail
From our feedback, the more interactive and ‘put on the spot’ you make the session, the more valuable it will be. Having students think on the spot and share their ideas in a non-threatening environment is key to making the session light-hearted and collaborative so that they can apply what they have learnt at medical school to a clinical patient.