Offerings
View how MD3003 is offered in 2004
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MD3003:03

Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

Townsville

HECS Band 3

13 hours lectures, 39 hours guided learning sessions, 13 hours synthesising sessions. Full year.

The aim of the subject is to create learning situations in which students can acquire knowledge of the mechanisms of drug action in order to understand the therapeutic use of drugs and their possible adverse effects. As part of the systems-based approach, students will have been introduced to pharmacology from the system-specific angle. Therefore, in this subject, the clinical applications will be dealt with from a more mechanistic approach. The mechanisms of action will be used to explain the therapeutic and side effects of drugs, as well as the bases for routes of administration, dosage regimes, drug interactions, tolerance and dependence.

Learning Objectives:

develop an understanding of the professional, legal and ethical issues associated with drug administration;

understand the rational behind drug doses and the routes of drug administration, the concept of drug receptors and how these are linked to biochemical systems which mediate drug action and the principles of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion;

outline how drugs interfere with chemical transmission in the major organ systems;

appreciate how the pharmacological action(s) of a drug and its kinetic behaviour and explain its therapeutic use and side effects;

be introduced to treatment of chemical poisoning, drug overdose, venoms;

have a basic understanding of the design and interpretation of clinical trials;

calculation of drug doses and be able to critically assess a patient's medication;

ability to communicate and express empathy with patients and their parents/relatives, particularly in relation to optimising a patient's medication;

awareness of the role of public education and health promotion.

This subject is assessed within an integrated assessment program for all subjects during the academic year. Students must participate in all formative assessment tasks to achieve eligibility to sit summative assessment tasks that include in Semester 1 an integrated written assignment (10% of the year's marks) and in Semester 2 an integrated examination consisting of a written component (60%) and practical component (30%). Attendance at clinical skills sessions is mandatory and completion to a satisfactory level is required.