Fundamental Theories and Primary Practices of Hyperbaric Medicine

Course overview

Objectives: Practitioners will be able to describe guidelines for diagnosing and managing patients in the hyperbaric environment, important pre-treatment concerns prior to initiating hyperbaric oxygen treatment; understand how to manage the critically ill patient in the hyperbaric environment; know when to utilize advanced modalities in patient care, and display understanding of currently available literature/reports on cancer regrowth or recurrence after a course of HBO2; understand of the basic principles of wound care and hyperbaric medicine. Participants should be able to describe the philosophies of the physics, physiology, pathophysiology and the medical aspects of compressing patients and observers within the hyperbaric environment ensuring safe treatment protocol. The learners will be able to recognize diving accidents and gain knowledge, performance, and competence to safely and efficiently evaluate and medically treat divers, which in turn improves overall patient outcomes and decreases the professional practice gaps identified for this activity. Practitioners will also be able to demonstrate an understanding of the types of hyperbaric systems available to them, how to operate the systems in an emergent situation, understand expectations and standards relating to the physician participating as a team member and medical leader in the hyperbaric environment; in a team atmosphere the physician will demonstrate the startup, operation and shut down of the hyperbaric system. Course Format: All of the didactic lessons in this course are taught online so learning is optimal. 28.75 hours of video lectures make up the online portion. A one-day hands-on practical classroom course, 11.25 hours, is included with this program to teach lessons that are best demonstrated face-to-face in a classroom environment. Practice Gaps fulfilled by this course: 1. New physicians considering the practice of hyperbaric medicine might lack a base level of knowledge in determining which patients might benefit from hyperbaric oxygen, how to manage patients who are either hemodynamically stable or unstable 2. Inadequate knowledge of wound care specific to Hyperbaric Medicine including TcpO2 interpretation 3. Lack of knowledge regarding the safe operation of hyperbaric systems and ancillary equipment associated with and in the hyperbaric environment Competence/Need improved by this course: Practitioners need to be able to: describe guidelines for diagnosing and managing patients in the hyperbaric environment, important pre-treatment concerns prior to initiating hyperbaric oxygen treatment; understand how to manage the critically ill patient in the hyperbaric environment; know when to utilize advanced modalities in patient care and display understanding of currently available literature/reports on cancer regrowth or recurrence after a course of HBO2; understand of the basic principles of wound care and hyperbaric medicine. Performance that will be improved by this course: Practitioners need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the types of hyperbaric systems available to them, how to operate the systems in an emergent situation, understand expectations and standards relating to the physician participating as a team member and medical leader in the hyperbaric environment, and understand how hyperbaric systems work.