Tissue Viability

This module is suitable for Registered Nurses or Allied Health Professionals.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking.

NHS Forth Valley staff can apply to the Education Committee to request funding for the module.

On completion of the module students will be able to:

• examine the physiological processes, pathophysiology, and risk factors influencing tissue viability and wound healing;
• critically evaluate current clinical guidelines and evidence that supports holistic wound assessment approaches and techniques;
• appraise current trends of wound management and apply deductive reasoning to the design of management strategies;
• demonstrate logical clinical decision making to support person centred care in line with current professional standards and service improvement goals.

This module offers a comprehensive exploration of complex wound management, integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical application to enhance professional practice in diverse healthcare settings.  
 
In this module, you will examine the underlying physiological, pathological, and psychosocial factors that influence wound healing, developing a critical understanding of the causes of tissue breakdown and delayed healing across diverse patient populations. You will also explore the normal wound healing process and how it can be influenced by various factors such as age, nutrition, and co-morbidities.

The module includes online study for 2 hours per week – one hour lecture plus one hour seminar, and 10 hours self-directed learning. This module is an evening course running from 19:00 - 21:00.

Key topics you will explore include:

• Pressure injuries, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and hard to heal wounds
• The impact of long-term conditions and multi-morbidity on wound healing
• Infection pathogenesis, biofilms, and diagnostic frameworks
• Holistic assessment, dressing selection, and escalation of care protocols.

Learning is delivered in the format of pre-recorded online sessions and will combine lectures, interactive case studies, guided academic reading, and structured reflective practice to facilitate deep learning and application of knowledge. The final Summative Assessment will be a 3000-word case study. This means you can access the course content when it suits you.

Ms Danielle Knox

This module is designed for nurses and Allied Health Professionals seeking to enhance their clinical expertise in complex wound care. It will equip you to make evidence-based decisions that improve patient outcomes in a range of healthcare settings.