Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

This is the first unit in a qualification recognised by the Podiatry Board of Australia as an approved course of study for scheduled medicines endorsement. The unit provides you with a sound knowledge of biomedical science, pharmacology and therapeutics in the context of podiatric practice. The unit provides essential foundational knowledge in therapeutics and utilises contemporary resources such as modules from the National Prescribing Service (NPS) in the areas of diagnostics, quality use of medicines & the National Prescribing Curriculum as well as relevant nationally recognised therapeutic guidelines.

Aims

To equip currently registered podiatrists with skills and expertise required to manage disorders of the foot and related lower limb using scheduled medicines.

Objectives

1. Apply high-level critical thinking skills to determine the contribution of bio/psycho/social factors contributing to clinical problems (NPS 1.2)


2. Integrate knowledge of pharmacology, and other biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, and therapeutics, to diagnose podiatric conditions and identify medicines suitable for treatment (NPS 1.3)


3. Critically evaluate information about medicines and make evidence-based decisions about medicines (NPS 2.1)


4. Solve complex clinical problems by applying clinical guidelines and principles of quality use of medicines within legislative and regulatory frameworks (NPS H1.1; H1.4)


5. implement strategies to reduce the risks of common medication errors and adverse events (NPS 2.2; H1.4)


6. Generate a prescription or medication order that complies with the relevant standards and legislative requirements (NPS 4.1; H1.1)

Content

Content in this subject is presented in four modules.

1. Ethical, Legal and professional standards and responsibilities


• includes an overview of state, national and international frameworks determining safe prescribing practice


• National Prescribing Service Core Prescribing Competencies


• national and state drugs and poisons legislation


2. Biomedical sciences


• includes relevant pathophysiology, microbiology , blood chemistry, haematology


3. Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics


• Podiatry Board of Australia Scheduled Medicines List


• antibiotics


• antifungals


• antiinflammatories


• antiemetics


• analgesics


• anaesthetics


• antifungals


• other medicines including CAMS, OTC


• Clinical Trial Design


4. Clinical therapeutics


• therapeutic guidelines and clinical pathways for common foot conditions


• best practice prescribing


• communication and prescribing


• determining safety and efficacy of new medicines


• reporting adverse drug reactions


• non pharmacological treatment

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The course will be delivered using a blended mode of on-campus intensives and off-campus online learning activities. During the on-campus intensives, key lectures, discussions and tutorials (accessing drug information resources) will be delivered.

The application of knowledge acquired during the intensives will be consolidated and expanded through guided online readings and learning activities relating to clinical decision making and problem solving.

You will be required to travel to the campus at the commencement and at the end of the semester for lectures/tutorials and discussion group and assessment activities.

Assessment

Each assessment type in this unit will be subject to internal /external moderation, such as cross - unit discussions and regular meetings of assessors, to ensure that marks awarded by different teaching staff are internally consistent and meet appropriate academic standards (MOPP C/5.2).Formative feedback will be provided to you through assessment items 1 and 2.

Assessment name: Theory Exam 1
Description: This assessment involves a written exam focusing on knowledge and application of principles of biomedical and pharmacological sciences.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Online learning activities
Description: Online self-directed learning activities. This assessment involves accessing and applying information regarding the pharmacology, safety and efficacy of medicines, quality use of medicines, safe prescribing, clinical and therapeutic best practice guidelines. This activity will require you to interpret research findings in therapeutics.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBC

Assessment name: Theory Exam 2
Description: This written exam assesses knowledge and application of skills across the entire unit content.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBC

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

Extensive use will be made of the online learning environment created in the QUT Blackboard learning management system for this unit.

Required Texts

Australian Medicines Handbook (current ed.). Adelaide, SA: AMH Pty Ltd.
(electronic version available via QUT Library Databases website)

Bryant, B., & Knights, K. (2011). Pharmacology for Health Professionals (3rd ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia.

Alternatively, this textbook covers the same material:

Bullock, S., Manias, E., & Galbraith, A. (2011). Fundamentals of Pharmacology (6th ed.). French Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia.

Reference list

Chapman, S., Durieux, P., Walley, T. (2004). Good prescribing practice. In E. Mossialos, M. Mrazek & Tom Walley (Eds.), Regulating pharmaceuticals in Europe: striving for efficiency, equity and quality. McGraw Hill. Retrieved August 9, 2012 from http://test.cp.euro.who.int/document/e83015_9.pdf

De Vries, et al. (1994). Guide to Good Prescribing. A Practice Manual. Geneva: WHO.

DiPiro, et al. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiological Approach (current ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Pub. Division

eTG complete. (2012). Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; Retrieved August 6, 2012 from http://etg.hcn.com.au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/
(electronic version available via QUT Library Catalogue website)

Golan, et al. Principles of Pharmacology. The Pathophysiological Basis of Drug Therapy (current ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Levine, S.R., Cohen, M.R., Blanchard, N.R., et al. (2001). Guidelines for preventing medication errors in paediatrics. J Paediatr Pharmacol Ther, 6, 426-42. Retrieved August 13, 2012 from http://www.ppag.org/jppt/CE/2002MEGuidelines.pdf

MIMS (current ed.). Sydney: MIMS Australia and UBM Media Pty Ltd. (electronic version available via QUT Library Databases website)

NPS National Prescribing Curriculum. Sydney: National Prescribing Service. Retrieved August 6, 2012 from http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/online_learning/national_prescribing_curriculum

National Prescribing Service. (2012). NPS: Better choices, Better health. Competencies required to prescribe medicines: putting quality use of medicines into practice. Sydney: National Prescribing Service Limited.

Podiatry Board of Australia website for up-to date guidelines:

Shakib, S., et al. (2001). The Easy Guide to Good Prescribing. Sydney: National Prescribing Service.

Safe Prescribing Guidelines, Sydney Children's Hospital Drug Utilisation Review Committee Therapeutic Guidelines. Retrieved August 9, 2012 from

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks in this unit except for those associated with substantial computer-based work. You should ensure that you take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work.

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: 23-Nov-2012