Applications of Clinical Pharmacology 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

n/a

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject has been primarily developed to address the endorsement requirements for nurses seeking to apply for nurse practitioner status through the Nurses Board of Victoria. Nurses enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma course who wish to undertake an elective that endeavours to increase their knowledge about the mechanisms of action of medications, should consider undertaking the Pharmacology and Therapeutics subject, which is conducted in Semester one.

This subject, Applications of Clinical Pharmacology, focuses on fundamental clinical, social, political and ethical principles of medication management rather than the science underpinning mechanisms of action. The concepts of pain management, adverse drug reactions and medication use across the lifespan will be considered. Students will examine clinical decision making as a framework for gathering and organising medication information, planning, prescribing, administering, documenting and evaluating medication use.

Consideration will be given to the roles played by different members of the health care team in medication management, including the medical practitioner, pharmacist and nurse. Students will develop an awareness of the learning and teaching strategies for patient education and the government policies that are relevant to medication administration. Commonwealth and State laws affecting the control of medication will also be considered. Students will also address the socio-cultural and ethical issues that affect the relationship between the nurse and the patient, and will examine medication orders from a variety of contexts.

• critically appraise and challenge medication management according to principles of clinical decision making;
• demonstrate applied knowledge of Commonwealth and State laws as a means for evidence based practice and health policy;
• use well developed problem solving and critical thinking skills in medication management for paediatric and geriatric populations;
• demonstrate knowledge of applied pharmacology as a vehicle for research, evidence based practice and policy development in the advanced practice setting.
• critically evaluate medication orders for patients in the advanced practice setting;
• demonstrate knowledge of applied pharmacology as a vehicle for research, evidence based practice and policy development in the advanced practice setting.

1. A 1,500 word assignment (45%)
2. A two hour exam (55%)

Students are required to obtain a cumulative mark of at least 50% to pass the subject overall.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• demonstrate written and oral communication skills necessary to analyse the medication management of a patient;
• demonstrate problem solving skills in analysing medication management according to principles of clinical decision making;
• analyse how the Commonwealth and State laws relating to medication control impact on their current area of practice;
• demonstrate knowledge of the effects of medication use in paediatric and geriatric populations;
• critically evaluate medication orders for patients in the practice setting;
• demonstrate knowledge of applied pharmacology as a vehicle for research, evidence based practice and policy development in the practice setting.