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SL32111: Medicines optimisation and prescribing in complex patients 1

[Page last updated: 30 November 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 20 [equivalent to 40 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 400
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWSI 10%, EXCB 40%, PRPR 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Clinical learning in practice assignments (CWSI 10% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Written examination (EXCB 40% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
  • Clinical skills and prescribing-based assessments (PRPR 50% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate empathy and keep the patient at the centre of your approach to care at all times.
2. Work in partnership with people to support and empower them in shared decision making about their health and wellbeing.
3. Demonstrate effective communication at all times and adapt your approach and communication style to meet the needs of the patient.
4. Take a holistic approach to ensure the most appropriate course of action based on clinical, legal and professional considerations.
5. Recognise the psychological, physiological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people.
6. Work collaboratively and effectively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure high-quality person-centred care, including continuity of care.
7. Demonstrate effective diagnostic skills to decide the most appropriate course of action for the patient.
8. Appraise the evidence base and apply clinical reasoning and professional judgement to make safe and logical decisions which minimise risk and optimise outcomes for the patient.
9. Critically evaluate and use national and local guidelines and clinical evidence to support safe, rational and cost effective prescribing
10. Apply the principles of effective monitoring and management to improve health outcomes.
11. Anticipate and recognise adverse drug reactions, and recognise the need to apply the principles of pharmacovigilance.
12. Apply relevant legislation and ethical decision making related to prescribing, including remote prescribing.
13. Know how to prescribe effectively within the relevant systems and frameworks for medicines use.
14. Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance in relation to prescribing, while also considering that the prescriber may be in a position to supply the prescribed medicines to patients.
15. Know how to take responsibility for patients' health records, including the legality, appropriateness, accuracy, security and confidentiality of personal data.


Synopsis: Apply your knowledge and skills to high fidelity simulated clinical scenarios. Engage in patient consultations to reach agreed pharmacological and non-pharmacological management in real time, these are evidence based and aim to improve patient outcomes whilst ensuring patient safety. Develop consultation skills and learn how to adapt these according to the individuals needs. Explore the clinical skills necessary for safe prescribing which will support decision-making processes.

Content:

This unit is structured around high fidelity simulated clinical scenarios using SimMan 3G.

High fidelity simulations - allows students in small groups to work together to undertake a consultation with a patient within high fidelity simulations (medical actors, simulation manikins, and augmented reality). As part of the consultation, students will apply decision making processes to reach appropriate prescribing decisions which demonstrate an awareness and application of consultation skills and prescribing governance. A final simulation will incorporate the multi-disciplinary team involving an IPE session with other student professions.

Lecture series - Build on previous clinical knowledge to develop holistic care. Introduces new clinical therapeutic knowledge and covers topics such as leadership, clinical decision making, drug and disease monitoring, managing conflict and ensuring safe practice within the limits of competence. Includes management of key priority clinical areas for pharmacists such as chronic pain patients and care home residents. External speakers from other disciplines are included within the lecture series to emphasize the importance of multi-disciplinary complementary working.

Workshops - focus on clinical decision making, polypharmacy and deprescribing, management of therapeutic topics.

Communication Classes - focus on developing patient centred consultation skills which incorporate the application of consultation models and communication skills

Clinical Skills Assessment classes - include basic observation skills such as blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen saturations in addition to ear, throat and respiratory examinations. Peak flow, urinalysis, blood glucose, vaccination.



Course availability:

SL32111 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.