Pharmacology for Health Workers

Today, the practitoner is a pivotal member of the healthcare team with increasing responsibility and is expected to exercise judgement in the management of the patient’s drug therapy. To do this effectively requires an understanding of drug action and the ability to detect and evaluate both beneficial and adverse responses to drugs.

The Learning Outcomes for this course are:

Session One is an introductory session that deals with pharmacology and healthcare practice. We introduce the language of pharmacology by looking at the meaning of some of the terms in pharmacology, how drugs are supplied to the public and the law as it relates to nurses, healthcare practitioners and prescribing. The idea of a drug being formulated into a medicine and some of the reasons why this is necessary are explained. The session emphasises the importance of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination of drugs from the body in determining the response to drugs, and takes a look at some of the factors that influence the way in which the patient responds to medicine.

Session Two deals with the principles of the administration of drugs. We look at the different routes used and the advantages and disadvantages for each. The session also introduces the importance of nonpharmacological factors in the response to a medicine. Finally, the idea of drug interactions is introduced.

In Session Three we deal with the factors that influence how the drug moves round the body, from its site of administration until it is finally eliminated.

Session Four introduces the concept of chemical messengers and cell receptors for these messengers. You will learn how important our knowledge of receptors is in the development of new drugs and the targeting of drugs for specific diseases.

Syllabus

The application of pharmacology to healthcare practice

The administration, absorption, distribution and elimination of drugs

Pharmacokinetics and drug action

How drugs act

Resources Section

• The effects on mortality of the use of combined oral contraceptives
• Chemistry revision
• References
• Glossary

Qualifications

On completion of your course, you will receive the dual award:

Award 1 is issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Pharmacology for Health Workers Certificate

Pharmacology for Health Workers Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Requirements for Entry

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Study Options

In order to offer our students the most convenient and flexible distance learning courses, Stonebridge Associated College offers you the option to study for your course via two methods:

• 1. Via the traditional paper-based method.
• 2. Through the online method via ElearnUK.

If you do not have Internet access, or would prefer to study this course via the traditional paper/postal based study method, you can find more information on the course by clicking on the link below.

Stonebridge Prices

Studying by Post. If you would like to pay by instalments, we do offer an affordable interest free payment plan scheme which allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months. However, to use this option you will need to study for your course using the traditional paper-based method. For more information on our payment plans please visit our website at www.stonebridge.uk.com

The reason why the course fee is less if you choose to study online, is because with online study there are no costs associated with postage and printing etc. and thus we are able to offer the course at a reduced rate.

The total amount payable over the term's period, is no more than the total cash price of the course.
(APR = 0%). Written quotations are available on request.

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 60 hrs.