James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

PC6300 - Safe Prescribing for Pharmacists

Subject Description

This subject provides pharmacists with the necessary skills for safe, culturally sensitive medical assessment and evidence-based treatment, focusing on the safe and responsible prescribing of medications. Pharmacists will explore the relevant guidelines, frameworks, responsibilities and legalities that guide safe prescribing, learn a systematic approach to taking a history, basic examination skills and techniques, and understand how to apply the biopsychosocial model of health to patient presentations. The subject covers the key areas of a patient-focused consultation including history taking, clinical examination, problem listing and prioritisation, formulation of a management plan, follow up and documentation. The subject will also teach motivational interviewing techniques enhancing communication with the patient, their carers and the patient's healthcare team. Students will learn the importance of using medications that are supported by clinical evidence and the risks of unnecessary or harmful prescribing.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the provision of safe, legal, accountable, and culturally appropriate care and prescribing in collaboration with the patient, their carers and other health professionals
• Apply the biopsychosocial model of medical assessment of patients presenting for care to a pharmacist
• Demonstrate a systematic approach to collect relevant patient information including patient history and basic examination techniques, and synthesise findings to formulate and prioritise patient health needs
• Apply the principles of accountable prescribing and contemporary evidence to the clinical management, including review and safety netting, for patients presenting for care to a pharmacist
• Demonstrate relevant communication and motivational interviewing skills, documentation practices as part of safe, collaborative patient led care

Subject Assessment

• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - Individual
• Evidence of completion of Australian College of Pharmacy Cultural Competency Course or equivalent - Individual
• Written > Case report 1 - Individual
• Written > Case study analysis - Individual
• Written > Log/logbook - Individual
• Submission of evidence of peer or DP feedback on motivational interviewing recording and reflection of strengths and weaknesses of MI performance (300-500 words) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) - 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.

Availabilities