Applications of Clinical Pharmacology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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 programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject supports the development of advanced practice knowledge in the quality use of medicines. It builds on knowledge developed in the subject Pharmacology for Health Professionals, which predominantly focuses on the mechanisms of action of medications, by exploring the clinical and social contexts for the safe use of medicines in speciality and advanced practice.

This subject extends students' knowledge of social, political and ethical principles of medication management, and allows the student to explore how these principles are applied in the advanced practice setting. The concepts of pain management, adverse drug reactions and medication use across the lifespan will be considered. Students will individualise the use of the clinical decision making process as the framework for gathering and organising medication information, planning, prescribing, administering, documenting and evaluation to suit their own practice needs. Students will extend their knowledge of the learning and teaching strategies for patient education and the government policies that are relevant to nurse prescribing. Commonwealth and State laws affecting the control of medication will also be applied to the advanced practice setting. Students will also address the socio-cultural and ethical issues that affect the relationship between the nurse practitioner and the patient, and will examine the style and required particulars for written prescriptions. Equipped with this knowledge, students will be expected to critically review the application of clinical pharmacology to their specific area of advanced practice.

2 hour written exam - Week 8 - 50%

3000 word assignment - Week 12 - 50%

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

• Demonstrate comprehensive written and oral skills necessary to critically analyse the conceptual underpinnings of medication management in the advanced practice setting.
• 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;
• 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.