Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

A number of factors must be considered before a decision concerning the appropriate drug is prescribed and dispensed to patients. This unit will provide a pathophysiological approach to the identification of neurological, mental health and oncological disorders and diseases. Students will be instructed on the factors that determine the correct choice of therapeutic drug and the dosing regimen including drug toxicity, drug-drug interactions, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic considerations for the individual patient.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to:

1. Examine the pathophysological basis of neurological,immunological and oncological disorders that will allow the student to understand the diagnosis of these clinical scenarios.

2. Review the pharmacotherapeutic factors that influence the appropriate choice of drug(s) used in the treatment and management of these clinical situations such as drug toxicity, drug-drug and drug-food interactions, pharmacokinetics and pharmacoeconomics considerations.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Competently interpret information obtained from medical tests and understand how this health information plays a role in the decision making processes that lead to a valid diagnosis of a variety of diseases and disorders.

2. Understand the rationale behind the choice of a particular drug once a diagnosis has been established based on an assessment of the needs of the individual patient including a critical review of their medical history and current lifestyle.

3. Predict the clinical outcome based on the current pharmacotherapy and understand the risk/benefit ratio of the treatment and instil the ability to evaluate the need for alternative pharmacotherapeutic choices if the clinical objective is not achieved in a suitable time period.

Content

Pharmacotherapeutics: Concepts and practical application of factors that influence the decision-making process of drugs in the treatment of disease states such as drug toxicity, drug-drug and drug-food interactions, pharmacokinetics, renal and hepatic dysfunction, patient compliance and economic considerations in relation to the health care provider.

Pathophysiology of Disease: A review of the presentation and symptoms of a range of neurological, mental health and oncological disorders with an emphasis on diagnosis and how this information leads to the choice of relevant pharmacotherapy for treatment.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The contact time for this unit will be approximately 45 hours and will be covered in the first 9 weeks of semester.

Assessment

A satisfactory performance (greater than 50%) in all assessment tasks is required to obtain a passing grade for this unit.Feed back from the 2009 SCB848 LEX scores and the 2010 SCB748 (vertically integrated prerequisite unit) will be provided during Week 1 of the semester where students may provide further feedback to the Unit Coordinator.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: End of semester theory exam. (Summative).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, and 3.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Mid-semester theory exam. (Formative and Summative).
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: An in-depth critique of a clinical trial utilising pharmacotherapeutic concepts. (Summative)
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See Blackboard Site

Assessment name: Viva voce
Description: Verbal explanation of a pharmacotherapeutic scenario. (Summative).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

1. DiPiro et al Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 6th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division.

2. Australian Medicines Handbook (current edition) Adelaide: AMH Pty Ltd.

3. Therapeutic Guidelines,. Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd, 23-47 Villiers Street, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051.

4. Golan (2008) Principles of Pharmacology. The Pathophysiological Basis of Drug Therapy 2nd Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus. More information on health and safety can be obtained from http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/healthsafe/index.jsp

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 26-Sep-2012