James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

PC4401 - Integrated Therapeutics 4

Subject Description

Paediatric and geriatric patients represent a significant proportion of the Australian population, and present with unique challenges and considerations when managing their medical needs. Patients at these 'extremes of age' are much more frequently diagnosed with key medical conditions compared to the general adult population. Examples include ADHD and autism amongst paediatric patients, and incontinence amongst geriatric patients. Pharmacists require an understanding of these conditions with some specialising in the management of these patients. Therefore, pharmacists require a good understanding of how these age-defined patient groups have unique considerations when managing their medical conditions. The reproductive years in women also require health professionals to adjust management options to account for physiological changes which occur around pregnancy and childbirth. Lastly, chronic endocrine and cancerous conditions can cause significant patient distress and may lead to fatal outcomes. Endocrine disorders such as thyroid and adrenal gland dysfunction can require lifelong treatment and regular advice by health professionals including pharmacists. Conversely, cancer often requires shorter-term aggressive treatment using an array of medications according to continually changing treatment guidelines. Pharmacists are a key part of multidisciplinary teams for many of the aforementioned conditions, and students will learn how to manage these conditions effectively, including being able to tailor therapy relevant to individual patient needs. Students will also develop skills in the conduct of medication management and medication reviews in complex clinical case scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of common endocrine, reproductive and malignant conditions as relevant to pharmacy practice
• Demonstrate knowledge of special considerations in antenatal, paediatric and geriatric care
• Recommend suitable drug treatments, including prescription, over-the-counter, complementary and non-pharmacological treatment options
• Develop skills relating to the use of clinical guidelines and cytotoxic protocols and their application to the management of patients
• Demonstrate skills in rationalising complex medication regimens using complex case based scenarios

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Oral > Presentation 1 - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Case report 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 2 - (10%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Assumed Knowledge:  As this is a core level 4 subject in the BPharm(Hons)/MPharm pathway, students will be expected to have completed all core level 1, 2 and 3 subjects.

Availabilities