Available in 2024
Course code

PHAR6701

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

This course is designed to enable students to continue the accumulation of knowledge necessary to function safely and effectively as health care professionals within the Australian health service. The course will introduce students to the principles of pharmacotherapeutics, including clinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and a revision of basic pharmacological principles. This course provides an overview of the principles of prescribing for health care professionals, including the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulation (NSW), the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). The course will provide an overview of the role of non-prescription medications, including complementary and alternate medicines. This course incorporates principles of professional communications focused on performing comprehensive medicines assessment and collaboration with others in implementing a medication management plan. This course is a Compulsory Program Component in the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) and Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) Programs. It is a required course for Master of Midwifery students working towards endorsement for scheduled medicines. It is a Core Course for the Graduate Certificate in Medicines for Health Professions.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Online

  • Trimester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the legal and policy framework underpinning prescribing in Australia

2. Describe and implement the principles of quality use of medicines

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulation (NSW)

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and its application in clinical practice

5. Demonstrate knowledge of the clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents in the context of clinical practice

6. Identify the importance of obtaining a comprehensive medication history, including assessing use of non-prescription and complementary/alternate medicines


Content

The course will cover:

  1. Health care professional prescribing in Australia - legal and policy framework
  2. The Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulation
  3. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  4. Quality Use of Medicines (QUM)
  5. Principles of prescribing in the context of the Prescribing Competencies Framework
  6. Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics and their application in clinical practice
  7. Non-prescription medications, including analgesic and anti-inflammatory medicine and complementary and alternate medicines and the role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration in medication safety

Assumed knowledge

Minimum of a three-year undergraduate degree in a field related to health such as medicine, biomedical/medical science, nursing, allied health, dentistry, psychology, veterinary science and health science.Midwives: Current midwifery registration and unrestricted licence with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.Nurse practitioners: One year of advanced clinical practice in a specialty area of practice.Advanced level of knowledge of pathophysiology within student's area of practice. Skills in health assessment/clinical decision making within student's area of practice. Ability to justify his/her clinical decisions.


Assessment items

In Term Test: Online test 1
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Written Assignment
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

In Term Test: Online test 2 - viva voce
Compulsory Requirement: Submit assessment item - Must submit this assessment to pass the course.

Formal Examination: Final Online Examination
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.


Contact hours

Trimester 1 - 2024 - Online

Online Activity-1
  • Online 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 6 week(s)
Self-Directed Learning-1
  • Self-Directed 10 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.