PG Certificate / PG Diploma / MSc in Clinical Pharmacy Programme Information 2010 2011 School of Pharmacy Queen s University Belfast
Queen s University Belfast Clinical Pharmacy programme Distance learning at the School of Pharmacy, QUB The School of Pharmacy s Distance Learning Centre has been providing high quality postgraduate programmes for pharmacists since 1989. Currently, the Centre provides MSc programmes in both clinical and community pharmacy in a part time, distance learning format. The distance learning format allows students to remain in employment throughout their studies and involves a blend of home study and work based learning activities. This format has been proven to be popular with students as it allows them to arrange their studies to suit their lifestyle and they can incorporate many of the learning activities into their normal work routine. In addition, the format is popular with employers as members of staff are not required to leave the workplace to attend lectures or study days at any stage. Why should you choose QUB? The QUB School of Pharmacy was named as the top overall Pharmacy School in the UK by the 2010 'Times Good University Guide', and is consistently rated among the top Schools of Pharmacy in the UK. We have been providing distance learning courses for pharmacists for 20 years and during this time we have developed expertise in authoring and delivering distance learning materials. This is a never ending process we review our courses annually and have embraced opportunities provided by the World Wide Web for course delivery and student support. In addition, the QUB School of Pharmacy was awarded the maximum score of 24 points by a visiting panel of Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Subject Review experts who assessed the quality of teaching provided by the School. The review included both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. QUB Clinical Pharmacy programme The MSc in Clinical Pharmacy is a 3 year programme. Students have the option of exiting with a Postgraduate Certificate at the end of the first year or with a Postgraduate Diploma at the end of the second year. The modules in the first and second years are typically 3 months in duration and students study 3 modules in each year. In each module, students are provided with a comprehensive set of learning materials, which have been authored by expert clinical pharmacists, and they follow a timetable for studying the materials and submitting assignments to the Centre for marking. In addition, some modules include work based assessments which are marked by the student s work based Local Mentor. The third year consists of a 12 month research module. During this module, students undertake a work based practice research or audit project. Each student is allocated to a member of staff within the School of Pharmacy, who supervises their research project. Who is the programme for? This programme has been developed specifically for pharmacists who are employed in the hospital sector and who wish to specialise in clinical pharmacy.
Queen s University Belfast Clinical Pharmacy programme Student support With distance learning, we feel that it is important that students do not feel isolated whilst completing the course. For that reason, student support is an issue that we take very seriously. Each student receives a comprehensive handbook at the beginning of the course. The handbook provides detailed guidance on the structure and requirements of the course and the course timetable ensures that students know exactly what they should be doing and when they should be doing it. In addition, the Distance Learning Centre is staffed by three full time members of staff who can be contacted by telephone or e mail during normal office hours. The Centre s manager worked for several years as the Clinical Pharmacy Co ordinator in one of the UK s largest hospitals. In addition, the Centre is staffed by 2 full time administrative staff. The Local mentor It is important that students have support within their workplace and therefore each student must have a Local Mentor within their workplace. The student is required to identify a suitable Local Mentor before their application to join the programme can be accepted. Typically, the Local Mentor will be a senior clinical pharmacist or a medical consultant. The Local Mentor must be able to facilitate access to patients and their medical notes as required. In addition, the Local Mentor is required to meet with the student on a regular basis to discuss progress and provide advice when required. We suggest that students should aim to meet with their Local Mentor for at least 30 minutes each week. Local mentors are also required to undertake some work based assessments, for example, taking a patient s medication history, inhaler counselling, and assessing case presentations by their student. Local mentors will be given guidance on marking and use standard marking forms for work based assessments. Aims of the programme The overall aim is to improve the knowledge base and practice skills of hospital pharmacists so that they can contribute more fully to the provision of clinical pharmacy services. The programme has been developed in collaboration with clinical pharmacy specialists in the United Kingdom. The emphasis in the first year is on developing clinical skills; by the end of the year students will be able to demonstrate competence in a variety of clinical pharmacy skills and will have developed their knowledge of common clinical topics such as the management of pain, infection and adverse drug reactions. In year 2 the emphasis is on the application of clinical pharmacy skills within a number of therapeutic specialties. Students study three compulsory topics, respiratory disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and select three further topics from a range of options. In addition, second year students develop their literature evaluation and research skills in preparation for the research project in year 3. MSc students carry out a practice based research project during year 3. Learning materials Our distance learning students study a variety of learning materials including printed materials downloaded from the course web pages and web based resources. In addition, we are developing a range of e learning materials for distance learning students.
Queen s University Belfast Clinical Pharmacy programme Assessment A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the programme. This includes: Practice based workbooks Clinical case studies Practical communication skills, e.g. medication history interview, patient counselling interview, inhaler counselling Oral presentations MCQ tests Structured essays Literature evaluation Statistical analysis Research dissertation (MSc) Some assessments are done in the student s workplace and are supervised by the Local Mentor (practical communication skills and oral presentations). The remainder of the coursework assignments are submitted to the Distance Learning Centre by post or e mail. In addition, students sit a 3 hour written examination paper in September, at the end of the second year. The examination covers the topics studied in the 2 therapeutics modules. Examination centres are arranged in the UK and in our international students countries of residence. Student fees Students are required to pay a registration fee for each year of enrolment on the programme. Fees information is available from the Centre s web pages. The annual registration fee increases each year in line with price inflation, approximately 3% per annum. Students who are paying their own fees can pay by instalments. Clinical Pharmacy programme structure The following modules are studied in the direct entry programme: PG Certificate (Year 1): PMY7031: Developing a clinical approach PMY7032: Pharmaceutical care PMY7033: Clinical pharmacy skills in practice PG Diploma (Year 2): PMY7034: Therapeutics for clinical pharmacists 1 PMY7035: Therapeutics for clinical pharmacists 2 PMY7036: Research in clinical pharmacy MSc (Year 3):
Queen s University Belfast Clinical Pharmacy programme PMY7091: Research project Credit transfer Students who hold a recognised PG Certificate or PG Diploma may apply for credit via the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). Under this scheme, the PG Diploma may be completed in 12 months and the MSc in 24 months. The following modules are studied in the CATS entry programme: PG Diploma (Year 1): PMY7034: Therapeutics for clinical pharmacists 1 PMY7035: Therapeutics for clinical pharmacists 2 PMY7036: Research in clinical pharmacy PMY7026: Critical literature review MSc (Year 2): PMY7091: Research project Applying for entry to our programme Details of how to apply for entry to this programme and the application process for credit transfer can be found on the Centre s web pages. Applications must be made via the QUB online application system for postgraduate entry. Further information Details of the content, learning outcomes and skills developed in each of the first, second and third year modules are provided in appendices A, B and C respectively. Please note: The format and contents of modules listed in the appendices are for guidance only and are subject to change following annual review of the course.
Appendix A: First year modules PMY7031 Developing a clinical approach The overall aim of this module is to provide the student with the foundation level skills required to deliver a clinical pharmacy service. The module is introductory in nature and assumes no knowledge of clinical pharmacy services. Students who have had clinical experience prior to this course will find it both a useful learning and revision exercise. The module is studied during the first 3 months of the programme and is delivered in three parts: Part 1: Clinical information - clinical notes, records and charts - pharmaceutical interventions - understanding clinical laboratory tests - screening patients for medication problems - reviewing medication histories - ethics and confidentiality Part 2: Communicating information - developing questioning, explaining and listening skills - non verbal communication - undertaking patient consultations Part 3: Medicines information - searching for and evaluating medicines information - Evidence based Medicine This module aims to teach students how to gather and understand relevant clinical information and how to communicate effectively with patients, carers and health professionals. On completion, the student will be able to: Identify and access clinical information that is relevant to individual patients Process clinical information to determine if a patient's treatment is optimal Plan and implement changes when drug treatment is not optimal Search effectively for medicines information Communicate accurate and reliable information to patients, carers and health professionals. This module provides the student with the foundation level skills required to deliver a clinical pharmacy service, including: Analysis of drug charts and clinical information Interpretation of clinical laboratory tests Development of treatment plans
Appendix A: First year modules Communication with patients and carers including explaining and listening skills and medication history taking Medicines information and literature searching skills.
Appendix A: First year modules PMY7032 Pharmaceutical care This module is designed to teach the student the principles behind patient safety in relation to medicine use in hospitals and delivering quality clinical pharmacy services. The module is studied over a period of 3 months and is delivered in 2 parts: Part 1: Medicines Governance improving patient safety - understanding medication incidents - creating an open and fair reporting culture - creating a learning culture - high risk medicines and procedures Part 2: Medicines Management providing a quality service - pharmaceutical care in practice - managing medicines in hospitals - the patient journey from admission to discharge - building quality into clinical pharmacy services This module aims to provide the student with an appreciation of the importance of detecting, reporting and learning from medication related incidents and an understanding of the principles of medicines management in the context of providing a high quality service to patients. On completion, the student will be able to: Identify and intervene whenever patient safety in relation to medicines may be at risk Manage a safety incident appropriately Discuss the importance of medication incident reporting and learning from incidents Explain how effective medicines management can be applied to each stage of the patient journey Apply the principles of quality improvement in the delivery of clinical services Undertake a professional audit Describe the principles of evidence based decision making. This module will provide the student with the skills associated with the delivery of pharmaceutical care, including the ability to: Identify and minimise risks associated with drug treatment; Provide effective, economic and high quality medicines management services; Provide effective discharge planning.
Appendix A: First year modules PMY7033 Clinical pharmacy skills in practice This module is designed to consolidate and build on the material studied in PMY7031 and PMY7032. The module is studied over a period of 3 months and is delivered in three parts: Part 1: Management of pain - causes of acute, chronic and neuropathic pain - drug treatment of acute and chronic pain - routes of administration of analgesia - switching between parenteral and oral analgesia - measurement and recording of pain Part 2: Adverse drug reactions and interactions - common adverse drug reactions - adverse drug reaction porting - common drug interactions - the role of the clinical pharmacist in identifying, preventing and managing adverse drug reactions and interactions Part 3: Prevention and management of infection - common pathogenic organisms and associated infections - management of infection - therapeutic drug monitoring - prevention and control of infection - antimicrobial resistance The aim of this module is to develop the student's ability to manage the drug treatment of patients with co existing pain and/or infection and to recognise and manage patients who are at risk from adverse drug reactions and interactions. On completion, the student will be able to: Contribute to the effective management of patients who have an infection Contribute to the effective management of patients who are in pain Recognise, prevent and manage adverse drug reactions and interactions Skills that have been introduced in PMY731 and PMY732 will be further developed, including: Effective use of clinical information Patient monitoring Written and oral communication skills Effective time management skills
Appendix B: Second year modules PMY7034 Therapeutics for clinical pharmacists 1 The aim of this module is to develop the student's knowledge of common chronic diseases and their treatment. Students study recent advances in our understanding of the disease process and treatment of respiratory and cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reference is made to published clinical guidelines where appropriate. The module is studied over a period of 3 months and is delivered in three parts: Part 1: Respiratory disease - pathophysiology and drug treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper and lower respiratory tract infections Part 2: Cardiovascular disease (1) - pathophysiology and drug treatment of coronary heart disease, essential hypertension and acute coronary syndromes Part 3: Diabetes - pathophysiology and drug treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes - managing acute complications of diabetes - managing long term complications of diabetes This module is designed to build on the student's knowledge of the development and treatment of common chronic diseases that are studied at undergraduate level. On completion, the student will: Possess a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in diabetes, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Have knowledge of clinical guidelines that are relevant to treatment of these diseases Develop their knowledge of the pathophysiology of these conditions. This module will develop the skills associated with the delivery of clinical pharmacy services to patients with diabetes or cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.
Appendix B: Second year modules PMY7035 Therapeutics for clinical pharmacists 2 The aim of this module is to develop the student's knowledge of a range of common chronic diseases and their treatment. Students study recent advances in our understanding of the disease process and treatment in relation to three selected topics / therapeutic areas. Reference is made to published clinical guidelines where appropriate. The module is delivered in three parts. The following topics are available; however, others may be added: - Gastrointestinal disease - Therapeutic drug monitoring - Mental health - Skin disease - CNS disease - Cardiovascular disease (2) arrhythmias, angina and heart failure In addition, this module contains an option to allow students to study a therapeutic topic of their own choice that is not included in the above options. This module is designed to build on the student's knowledge of the development and treatment of common chronic diseases that are studied at undergraduate level. On completion, the student will: Possess a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in selected therapeutic areas. Have knowledge of clinical guidelines that are relevant to treatment of the selected diseases Develop their knowledge of the pathophysiology of the selected conditions. This module will develop the skills associated with the delivery of clinical pharmacy services to patients with a variety of common diseases.
Appendix B: Second year modules PMY7036 Research in clinical pharmacy This module helps to prepare students to undertake their MSc research project in year 3. The module is studied over a period of 3 months and is delivered in 4 parts: Part 1: Pharmacy practice research and clinical trials - pharmacy practice research methods - planning and undertaking research - organisation and presentation of data - research dissemination - clinical trials terminology - Good Clinical Practice (GCP) - design and conduct of a clinical trial - ethical considerations Either: Part 2a: Evidence based medicine - how to find reliable evidence - grades of evidence - how to analyse and critically evaluate research papers - putting evidence into practice or: Part 2b: Statistical methods - hypothesis testing using a single sample or paired data - hypothesis testing using two independent samples - analysis of variance - analysis of categorical data - association between two quantitative variables This aim of this module is to give students an understanding of clinical research so that they will be able to critically evaluate the research of others in practice. In addition, students study research methodologies and statistical methods that are relevant to clinical and pharmacy research so that they might incorporate independent research into their future practice. On completion, the student will: have demonstrated the ability to critically evaluate the research of others understand the ethical implications of clinical research be able to plan and implement a research project using appropriate research methodology and statistical analysis.
Appendix B: Second year modules This module will provide the student with the skills required to design and plan a clinical practice research project and to evaluate the research of others, including: Critical evaluation Statistical analysis Research design Report writing PMY7026 Critical literature review (CATS entry only) Students undertake a critical review of the recent literature relating to an agreed therapeutics or clinical pharmacy topic. Students are allocated to a QUB supervisor for the duration of this module. Assessment is by submission of a dissertation of up to 10 000 words at the end of the 12 month period. This aim of this module is to develop the student s literature searching and critical evaluation skills. On completion, the student will have demonstrated the following abilities: to develop a literature review protocol to undertake a literature search to select and critically review suitable published research papers to monitor the progress of a project to ensure delivery on time to report their findings in a scientific manner This module will provide the student with the skills required to design and undertake a clinical practice research project, including: project planning project monitoring literature searching critical appraisal scientific report writing
Appendix C: Third year modules PMY7091 Research project Students undertake a research or clinical audit project within their workplace. Students are allocated to a QUB supervisor for the duration of this module. Assessment is by submission of a dissertation of up to 20000 words at the end of the 12 month period. The duration of this module can be extended if required. This aim of this module is to give students an opportunity to plan and implement a research project. On completion, the student will have demonstrated the following abilities: to develop a research protocol to develop and undertake suitable data collection methods to select and undertake suitable statistical analysis to monitor the progress of a research project to ensure delivery on time to report their research in a scientific manner This module will provide the student with the skills required to design and undertake a clinical practice research project, including: project planning project monitoring statistical analysis scientific report writing