BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COURSES

Fundamental Principles of Nursing in the ICU (Coordinator: Kiοumis I.)

This course provides an initial introduction to the Intensive Care Unit environment and its technological equipment. Reference is made to its mode of operation, the type of patients supported, and the work performed. The role and position of the nurse in this environment are analyzed, along with the knowledge required, the tools that must be used to obtain useful information, as well as the way in which knowledge and tools should be managed in order to develop critical thinking and optimally support the patient and their relatives.

Collaboration and Communication (Coordinator: Pitsiou G.)

The operation of the ICU is based on the harmonious collaboration of an interdisciplinary team (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other health professionals). The members of this team, working in a high-stress environment, must develop constructive ways of cooperation and communication among themselves, as well as with the rest of the hospital, patients, and their relatives. This course addresses teamwork and communication among team members and proposes strategies for intervention in crises and problem-solving.

Leadership (Coordinator: Pitsiou G.)

This course attempts a structured and practical approach to leadership issues and targets the functioning and behavior of staff at all hierarchical levels. Effective leadership behavior, beyond personality and individual experience, requires scientific knowledge regarding leadership practices and the management of financial and human resources, as well as proper time management. Issues of ICU organization and administration, as well as quality, are also taught.

Respiratory System (Coordinators: Pitsiou G., Manika K.)

In this course, students are taught the anatomy of the respiratory system, the physiology of respiration, and its importance in maintaining homeostasis. Methods for airway management and securing are presented, as well as nursing care of the airway. The course includes clinical training on airway management tools. An introduction to Mechanical Ventilation is provided, including its general principles, as well as the indications for invasive and non-invasive mechanical respiratory support, while different ventilation modes used in daily clinical practice are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on monitoring and early recognition/management of patient/ventilator-related problems to ensure optimal patient–ventilator interaction. The final part concerns severe and acute pathological conditions of the respiratory system that are potentially life-threatening. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, management particularities, and prognosis are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on predisposing factors or risk factors and early recognition signs.

Nutrition (Coordinator: Pitsiou G.)

This course addresses the nutritional therapy of ICU patients who, for various reasons (intubation and mechanical ventilation, coma, pathological causes), are unable to be adequately fed orally. Metabolic disturbances in critically ill patients are analyzed, along with the consequences of malnutrition on outcomes and methods for determining patients’ energy and protein requirements. Methods of nutritional support are proposed, and the means used for nutrient administration (feeding catheters, central venous catheters, pumps) are presented. Available formulations are discussed, with emphasis on specialized formulations, as well as monitoring of administration.

Renal Function (Coordinator: Boutou A.)

ICU nurses are often required to care for patients with acute renal failure. This is a pathological condition that develops in critically ill patients, mainly septic patients and polytrauma patients, and requires specialized management. This course presents the physiology of renal function, causes, symptomatology, as well as symptomatic and specialized treatment using continuous renal replacement therapy.

Cardiovascular System (Coordinators: Fyntanidou V., Grosomanidis V.)

In the first part of the course, the physiology of the cardiovascular system is taught, and tools such as the electrocardiogram, as well as more specialized invasive and non-invasive methods, are analyzed, providing useful information about cardiovascular function and enabling early detection of problems. Shock, a frequently encountered severe condition, is also discussed, including its definition, classification, and management. The second part of the course aims at acquiring knowledge regarding the recognition and management of two of the most severe acute pathological conditions of the cardiovascular system: myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism.

Central Nervous System (Coordinator: Kazis D.)

The first part of the course includes teaching the anatomy and physiology of the Central Nervous System (CNS). A basic neurological examination of patients by non-neurologists is described, and the significance of clinical findings is analyzed. Tools for monitoring and assessing the level of consciousness are presented. The second part includes specialized knowledge on intracranial hypertension and the management of intracranial catheters, as well as status epilepticus.

Infections – General Principles (Coordinator: Kiοumis I.)

Infections constitute a major problem in Intensive Care Units. The first part of the course addresses definitions, physiology, clinical and laboratory documentation of infections and sepsis. General principles for the management of these conditions are described, and knowledge regarding antisepsis and disinfection is provided.

Infections – Prevention (Coordinator: Boutou A.)

The second part of the course refers to all measures and precautions that must be taken by physicians and nurses to prevent specific infections (VAP, infections related to vascular catheters, urinary tract infections, and wound infections) in intubated ICU patients.

Trauma (Coordinators: Mantzoros I., Pramateftakis G.)

This course addresses the particularities in the management of various categories of trauma patients (polytrauma patients, patients with traumatic brain injuries, burn patients), and includes references to issues of intermediate care and rehabilitation.

Ethical Issues (Coordinator: Kiumis I.)

This course addresses sensitive issues related to end-of-life management and ethical dilemmas, as well as the management of the psychological burden of relatives of critically ill patients, healthcare workers, and patients, and proposes approaches for handling these issues.

Cerebral Death – Organ Donation (Coordinator: Pitsiou G.)

The concept of brain death is analyzed, along with the relevant international and Greek legislation, and the certification process is described. The process of informing relatives about brain death and the possibility of organ donation is described. The organ donation procedure is presented, and potential problems are outlined.

Introduction to Research Methodology (Coordinator: Boutou A.)

Research methodology is presented, including literature search through online databases, and the basic principles of writing research papers are taught in order to prepare students for the preparation of their thesis.

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA THESIS

Provided that the postgraduate student has successfully completed all courses of the first and second semesters of the Postgraduate Study Programme, they may, at the beginning of the third semester, enter the process of preparing their postgraduate diploma thesis. For this purpose, the postgraduate student submits an application for the initiation of the thesis. The application includes the proposed title, the proposed supervisor, and a summary of the proposed work.

The Coordinating Committee, upon approval of the application, recommends to the Department Assembly or appoints a three-member Advisory Committee. The right to supervise theses is held by teaching staff as defined in paragraph 1 of article 83 of Law 4957/2022.

The Programme Regulations define, among other things, the length, font, writing format, number of copies of the postgraduate diploma thesis to be submitted, and any other relevant aspects regarding its structure, as well as the timeline for revisions. The thesis is presented before a three-member Examination Committee on a date and at a location determined by the Secretariat.

In exceptional cases, if there is objective inability or a serious reason, the supervisor or a member of the three-member Examination Committee may be replaced following a decision of the Department Assembly. A change of the thesis topic is not permitted, except by decision of the Coordinating Committee following a justified recommendation by the supervising professor. A change of thesis topic does not, under any circumstances, constitute grounds for extension of the prescribed deadlines.

For more details, you can view the entire Study Guide for the Master’s Program by clicking on the link below: Study Guide of Master