Medicines: Therapeutics and Pharmacology (level 7)

Module delivery dates

Distance learning - start date 24 April 2014

You will need to attend one of the induction days prior to commencing your first module; these are running in Lancaster on 18 or 19 September 2013 (you only need to attend one date), 08 January 2014 and 26 March 2014 and in Carlisle on 20 September 2013, 07 January 2014 and 25 March 2014. If you have studied at the University of Cumbria in the past two years the requirement to attend the induction day may be waived.

Closing date for application

The closing date for applications is 5 working days prior to the module start date or, if this is your first module, 5 working days prior to the induction date.

Why study with us?

The module aims to advance your knowledge and skills as they concern complexities in pharmacotherapeutics that arise from polypharmacy, concurrent use of non-prescription drugs or differences between individuals in attributes such as age, health status or cognitive ability.

Finance

If you are employed within NHS North West and this module is to be funded by your employing Trust, please contact your Line Manager and CPD Lead for advice relating to funding and the funding application process.

What can this course lead to? This module may be studied as part of postgraduate health programmes including MSc Advanced Practice (Clinical) or MSc Practice Development. Resources and facilities

We are amongst the UK’s leading health and wellbeing faculties and are proud of the high level of support we are able to offer to our students. We provide a wide range of high-quality courses supported by expert academic and clinical practice staff. If you join us you will enjoy great facilities and learn alongside caring, committed and experienced professionals. Our employment record is excellent.

Entry requirements

Evidence of prior successful study at underpinning level.

More information about levels and credits.

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 20 credits Selection criteria

To be eligible to study this module, you should be a health professional with access to patients and able to apply the learning outcomes to your practice.

Modules

HPHG7024 Medicines: Therapeutics and Pharmacology (20 credits at level 7)

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion, you will be able to:

• Critically analyse how single or multiple pathologies can impact on a patient’s susceptibility to beneficial and adverse effects of drug treatments
• Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of multiple drug use (polypharmacy or arising from self-medication or substance misuse) in given clinical situations
• Demonstrate an advanced appreciation of the impact of concurrent illness and iatrogenic dysfunctions and their treatment on the patient’s response to drug treatments, proposing tailored solutions to the individual problems identified
• Evaluate current evidence as it relates to pharmacology and therapeutics
• Display complex problem solving skills drawing appropriately upon authoritative sources of pre-digested information such as The BNF, National Prescribing Centre, Cochrane and Clinical Knowledge Summaries in order to arrive at tailored solutions to complex clinical problems

Indicative core bibliography

Bennett, P.N., & Brown, M. J., 2008. Clinical Pharmacology. 10th edition. London: Churchill Livingstone

Craig J. V., & Smyth R. L., 2012. The Evidence Based Practice Manual for Nurses. 3rd edition. London: Churchill Livingstone

Sinnott P., Kay I., Coleman I., Simonsen T., Aarbakke J., Lysa R. 2006. Illustrated Pharmacology for Nurses. 1st edition. London: Hodder Arnold

Walker, R., Whittlesea, C. 2011. Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 5th edition. London: Churchill Livingstone

Waller G., Renwick A., Hillier K. 2009. Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 3rd edition. London: Saunders

www.bnf.org/bnf

www.library.nhs.uk/Default.aspx

www.npc.org.uk

Course summary

Indicative module content includes: Pharmacodynamics in complex clinical scenarios; Pharmacokinetics in complex clinical situations; Drug-drug interactions and Adverse Drugs Reactions; Special considerations relating to use of medicines in young, old and frail patients; Psychosocial and cognitive factors impacting on compliance, concordance and adherence in use of medicines; Use of evidence to inform complex therapeutic decisions.