University of Technology Sydney

96133 Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 2

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health (GEM)
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 96132 Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 1
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject builds on the objectives introduced in 96132 Advanced Clinical Pharmacy 1, and is for students preparing for specialist careers in complex environments such as hospital, general practice and aged care settings. Students are introduced to specialist clinical areas including intensive care, renal dialyses and surgery. The focus of the subject is clinical decision making while managing complex patients. Students learn from pharmacy clinicians working in specialist clinical areas, develop, consolidate and apply clinical skills and decision making, and provide peer education in real case settings. Learning strategies include hospital-led education sessions, small group case-based learning and peer-led education sessions.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

0004. Communicate health and medication management information to patients and health care professionals in a useful and context-relevant way
0006. Use appropriate non-verbal, verbal, questioning and listening skills when communicating with patients and other HCPs
0046. Demonstrate an understanding of the essential processes involved in evidence-based practice
0057. Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges involved in balancing the needs of the individual and those of the wider community
0086. Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of interprofessional learning and teamwork and its potential for improving health outcomes
0095. Describe acute and chronic clinical presentations of disease
0099. Describe the patient-related factors affecting clinical management
0100. Integrate relevant patient, drug, disease and system factors in the selection and management of appropriate therapy for populations and individual patients
0102. Employ an evidence-based approach to patient care
0106. Apply a systematic process of inquiry to understand the patient's health problem(s)
0113. Implement practice decisions using evidence-based guidelines and/or rational therapeutic decision-making

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:

  • Reflect on knowledge, skills and attributes required for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others (01.02)
  • Analyse and synthesise knowledge of health science concepts and theory, and apply skills of scientific research and clinical reasoning to support decision-making in pharmacy practice. (01.03)
  • Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions. (02.04)
  • Capably communicate to patients, their families, carers and members of the healthcare team; contribute to wider health education and promotion, choosing and adapting communication modes to address cultural and linguistic diversity. (02.06)
  • Integrate into daily practice knowledge of health systems and concerns in national and global communities, with awareness of the social and cultural contexts of health to meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities. (03.07)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Lifelong learning

Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.

Professional capacity

Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are client-focused, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.

Global citizenship

Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy contribute to society, resolving to undertake those actions and responsibilities that will enhance their role in local, national and global communities.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject takes a patient, practice, and case-focused approach. Students learn through practice-oriented activities, collaborative projects, and active lectures. The subject consists of 5 clinical blocks, with each block comprising practice-oriented learning, active lectures, student-led learning, and collaborative project-based learning.

Student preparation for learning: Prior to each clinical block, students read articles and use online resources to prepare for their participation in the clinical block active group learning and practice-oriented learning sessions.

Online modules: Students complete online modules that supplement and provide background information for the practice-oriented learning activities. Students complete the modules throughout semester as preparation for and follow up of the practice-oriented learning sessions. Students have the opportunity to discuss the modules and their role in clinical pharmacy during the corresponding active practice-oriented learning sessions

Active group learning: The group learning sessions provide foundation knowledge and preparatory material for practice-oriented learning. Attending the group learning is crucial to a full understanding of the subject content. Each clinical block includes 2 group learning sessions covering a range of topics focused on complex patients and clinical settings.

Active practice-oriented learning: Working in small groups, the active practice-oriented learning sessions give students the opportunity to practice and develop patient-focused clinical and communication skills. Each clinical block includes 2 practice-oriented learning sessions.

Project-based learning: Working small groups, students develop and leading a 2 grand rounds style presentation.

Subject structure:

  • Preparation for class is approximately 2 hours per clinical block
  • The course includes 5 x 2 day (6 hour) clinical blocks
    • Each block includes:
      • 2 active group learning sessions
      • 2 practice-orientated learning sessions
  • Online modules
    • 10 online modules focused on clinical management of complex patients
    • Each online module takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Content (topics)

This subject concentrates on consolidation and application of knowledge and skills relevant for clinical practice across a range of complex settings and with a diverse range of complex patients. Examples of complex settings and patients include:

  • Intensive care
  • Dialysis
  • Cardiology
  • Emergency medicine
  • Mental health
  • Neurology
  • Pain management
  • Geriatrics
  • Surgery
  • Medicines in renal impairment

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Presentation

Intent:

Presentation of a “grand round style” presentation. Students work in pairs to present a case identified during clinical block visits to their peers.

Objective(s):

This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives:

0004, 0006, 0046, 0057, 0095, 0099, 0100, 0102, 0106 and 0113

This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes:

01.02, 01.03, 02.04, 02.06 and 03.07

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Group, group assessed
Weight: 30%
Criteria:

You will be assessed on:

  • Verbal communication skills
  • Clinical judgement and use of the evidence base in patient care

Assessment marking criteria are available in the Assignments section in Canvas.

Assessment task 2: Case Report

Intent:

The final case report allows students to demonstrate on an individual level that they have acquired the skills and knowledge required to undertake advanced clinical activities in complex health settings. Each student prepare a case report suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal of one of the cases they have presented in workshop format throughout the session.

Objective(s):

This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives:

0004, 0006, 0046, 0057, 0095, 0099, 0100, 0102, 0106 and 0113

This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes:

01.02, 01.03 and 03.07

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Criteria:

Assessment marking criteria are available in the Assignments section in Canvas.

Assessment task 3: Portfolio

Intent:

Recognition of advanced pharmacy practice within the pharmacy profession is demonstrated through submission of a professional portfolio providing evidence of advance practice across a range of domains. The intent of this activity is to provide students with experience in the collation of a professional portfolio.

Objective(s):

This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives:

0004, 0046, 0057, 0100, 0102, 0106 and 0113

This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes:

01.02, 01.03 and 03.07

Type: Portfolio
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

You will be assessed on:

  • Reflection and self-assessment
  • Organisation and written assessment skills

Assignment marking criteria are available under the Assessment tab in Criteria.

Minimum requirements

Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of classes.

To pass this Subject students must achieve a minimum grade of 50%.

Required texts

Australian Medicines Handbook, (current version).

Coursework Assessments Policy

Coursework Assessments Procedures

Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)

Other resources

SHPA Standards of Clinical Pharmacy Practice available at www.shpa.org.au (with complimentary student registration)

Students will have access to CIAP, the NSW Health Clinical Information Access Portal during clinical blocks.