MHS5104 · Psychopharmacology and physical treatments in mental health care

Overview

This online unit provides you with a theoretical underpinning of psychopharmacology and physical treatments, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), as used in contemporary psychiatric practice. You will be introduced to the pharmacokinetics of medications used in psychiatric practice, and to the principles of safe prescribing according to the age, health and cultural background of the patient involved. You will use the foundational knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics, in order to critically analyse how medications affect physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes. You will also be introduced to the special considerations and issues that pertain to working with patients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.The unit will cover antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics, mood stabilisers, psychostimulants and other adjunctive psychotropic medications. You will appraise medication indications, mechanisms of action, dose titration and contemporary uses, side-effects, drug interactions and relevant communication challenges in psychopharmacology. Similarly, with physical therapies like ECT and TMS, the indications, mechanisms of action, side-effects and interaction with pharmacotherapies will be explored. This unit will be of interest to training psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, general practitioners, mental health nurses and case managers engaged in the care of mental health consumers.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment task. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological activity of psychotropic medications in application to mental health disorders;
2. Appraise the indications for, use of and adverse effects of psychotropic medications;
3. Assess critically the risks for drug interactions and the safe use of psychotropics in complex medical settings;
4. Articulate the indications, use of, benefits and harms of psychiatric physical treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapies;
5. Appraise the provision of integrated models of care combining psychotropic and psychotherapeutic management, including augmentation therapies and selected evidence-based complimentary therapies;
6. Design comprehensive mental health management plans, integrating appropriate psychotropic medication and psychotherapy across the range of mental health settings including culturally diverse patient groups.

Workload

12 hours per week - 2 hours of lectures, 2 hours of directed online student learning activities, plus 8 hours of self-directed study per week. Participation in a half-day interactive workshop experience on campus to demonstrate that application of theory to practice is mandated.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.