Course Title: Introduction to Clinical Therapeutics

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Clinical Therapeutics

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PHAR1018

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Wejdan Shahin

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: wejdan.shahin@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

This course will introduce important concepts in clinical therapeutics, pharmacotherapeutics, clinical decision making and key therapeutic principles that guide clinical practice, for example Evidence-Based Medicine. This course will also develop your ability to manage patients and provide and monitor medication therapy for patients with selected conditions.

This is an applied clinical therapeutics course, building on previous chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and pharmacy practice courses. The aim of this course is to develop your knowledge and skills leading into the third year advanced clinical therapeutic courses. 

The course will also establish the interaction between the molecular, chemical and physical properties of drugs and therapeutic agents and how these properties affect their actions and interactions in living systems. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to capability development in the following level 8 BPharm (Hons) PLOs:

  • Demonstrate professional behavior and accountability
  • Research, critically evaluate and apply evidence in professional practice
  • Demonstrate team and leadership skills to optimise practice
  • Demonstrate social responsibility to improve healthcare
  • Communicate effectively for the delivery of patient-centred care
  • Identify areas for development to improve competency
  • Apply pharmaceutical, medication and health knowledge and skills to improve patient and population health
  • Formulate, prepare and supply medicines and therapeutic products


Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Describe how molecular, chemical and physical properties of drugs affect their actions;
  2. Develop sound clinical and therapeutic decisions based on patient- and disease-specific information and parameters;
  3. Develop an appropriate pharmaceutical care plan, including the selection, monitoring and quality use of medicines for patients with selected conditions;
  4. Communicate relevant information clearly and directly to patients, caregivers and health professionals.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include tests, online quizzes, video presentations/short reports and assignments and is both formative and summative.
You will be assessed on your ability to clearly explain, compare and discuss the clinical and applied therapeutics concepts as well as your ability to provide sound medication management to patients in mock cases.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Team Short Report/Presentation and Individual Reflection
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Online Quizzes (2) 
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 3: Mid-Semester Online Timed Test
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 4: End of Semester Applied Theory Online Timed Test
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.