PHR3041 · Comprehensive care: Blood, brain and cancers

Overview

This unit provides the knowledge and skills required for the therapeutic management of patients with selected blood and brain conditions as well as cancers. Specifically, the unit will cover conditions involving the brain such as depression and schizophrenia, conditions affecting blood such as anaemias, and cancers such as leukaemia and lung cancer. You will relate the pathophysiology and epidemiology of these conditions to the rational design and clinical use of medicines. The pharmacology, disposition, and clinical and therapeutic aspects of medicines associated with each condition will be presented in an integrated fashion. This unit will involve the development of pharmacy relevant skills such as critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. Quality use of medicines principles will be emphasised, enabling you to acquire the skills necessary to optimise patient outcomes in different cultural settings.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

In-semester assessments 60%; Final examinations 40% This unit contains one or more competency hurdle assessment tasks that you must successfully complete to be able to pass the unit. You have one attempt, plus an additional assessment capped at 50% of the available marks for the task, to demonstrate your competency in the competency hurdle assessment task. If you fail to meet the hurdle requirement, you will receive a fail grade for the unit regardless of the total marks you achieve.

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the pathophysiology, epidemiology and clinical aspects of disease state management of selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers
2. Interpret the signs and symptoms, and laboratory parameters associated with a range of blood and brain conditions, and cancers
3. Explain the molecular basis of drug action and/or the mechanism of action of drugs used in treatment of selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers, and predict therapeutic outcomes and potential adverse effects based on pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles
4. In the context of a pharmacist and a standardised approach to patient centred care (e.g. Monash Model of CARE) in patients' with a blood or brain condition and/or cancer: (i) Gather and integrate information concerning the pharmacology pharmacokinetic characteristics of medicines, clinical aspects of disease state management, and patient specific factors to identify and appraise potential management options (ii) Create a medication management plan which incorporates established clinical guidelines and a comprehensive clinical review of medicine-related problems (iii) Prioritise and rationalise drug and non-drug therapy options for condition management (iv) Evaluate clinical scenarios to determine when medical referral is necessary, particularly for symptoms indicating urgent care (v) Create, apply and communicate education strategies that provide support and optimise patient-centred relationships and outcomes
5. Reflect on the development and implementation of the Monash model of CARE plan and other key skills relevant to pharmacy practice.
6. Demonstrate effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary healthcare team to develop and articulate evidence-based clinical and communication strategies for the management of selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers.
7. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of key concepts from previous professional practice and comprehensive care topics, promoting a holistic approach to patient care.

Workload

• One hundred and forty-four hours of independent study • Forty-eight hours of pre-learning activities (up to 4 hours per week) • Fifty-nine hours of active learning applied sessions (4 hours a week) • Thirty-nine hours of small group classes including assessment (4 hours per week) • Three 1-hour skills coaching sessions

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