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PA50249: Pharmacist independent prescribing

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 18
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Modular (no specific semester)
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 70%, EX 20%, OR 10%, OT 0%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites:
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
This unit is in three parts and each has distinct aims. The aim of:
* Part 1 'Prescribing in Context' is to: update underpinning knowledge about prescribing in the context of legal, professional and ethical frameworks, and to introduce the student to prescribing within the multiprofessional framework of the Clinical Management Plan (CMP);
* Part 2 'Communication Skills for Prescribing' is to: Ensure that the student independent prescriber (SIP) achieves competency in undertaking a clinical examination of the patient, which will include: relevant physical examination skills, as well as clinical, communication and negotiation skills. It will also cover issues such as teamwork, documentation, shared-decision making strategies, medical records, the Clinical Management Plan (CMP) and the Treatment Plan;
* Part 3 'Prescribing Effectively' is to: ensure that, as an independent prescriber, students prescribe safely, accurately and appropriately. Therefore updates in evidence-based practice; underpinning knowledge of the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that affect prescribing (especially in relation to special patient groups such as paediatrics and the older patient); methods to reduce medication errors and relevant clinical governance issues will be presented.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit the student will be able to:
1. Critically assess the responsibility that the role of independent prescriber entails, be aware of their own limitations and work within the limits of their professional competence - knowing when and how to refer/consult/seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team. (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3); Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1) , Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)(A4), Designated Medical Practitioner ( DMP) Assessment Guide (A5)
2. Develop an effective relationship and communication with patients, carers, other prescribers and members of the healthcare team (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3); Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1) , OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5).
3. Critically evaluate the pathophysiology of the condition being treated and recognise the signs and symptoms of illness, take an accurate history and carry out a relevant clinical assessment when necessary (addressed in parts 2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4) , DMP Assessment Guide (A5)
4. Competently use common diagnostic aids e.g. stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, tendon hammer (addressed in parts 2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5)
5. Competently use diagnostic aids relevant to the condition/s for which the pharmacist intends to prescribe, including monitoring response to therapy (addressed in parts 2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final Oral Case Presentation (A3)
6. Critically apply clinical assessment skills to:
* inform a working diagnosis
* formulate a treatment plan
* the prescribing of one or more medicines if appropriate
* carry out a checking process to ensure patient safety
* monitor response to therapy, review the working/differential diagnosis and modify treatment or refer/consult/seek guidance as appropriate (addressed in parts 2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final Oral Case Presentation (A3)
7. Critically review and demonstrate a shared approach to decision making by assessing patients' needs for medicines, taking account of their wishes and values and those of their carers when making prescribing decisions (addressed in parts 2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks, OSCE, DMP Assessment Guide, Final OralCase Presentation
8. Identify and critically assess sources of information, advice and decision support and demonstrate how they will use them in patient care taking into account evidence based practice and national/local guidelines where they exist (aaddressed in parts 1, 2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), Therapeutic Medication Review (A2, A2a) OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final OralCase Presentation (A3),
9. Recognise, critically evaluate and respond to influences on prescribing practice at individual, local and national levels (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1)
10. Prescribe safely, appropriately, clinically and cost effectively (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final Oral Case Presentation (A3),
11. Work within a prescribing partnership (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A2), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final Oral Case Presentation (A3)
12. Maintain accurate, effective and timely records and ensure that other prescribers and healthcare staff are appropriately informed (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final Oral Case Presentation (A3)
13. Critically evaluate the public health issues related to medicines use (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), Final Oral Case Presentation (A3),
14. Critically assess and describe the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing (addressed in parts 1, 2 and 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), OSCE (A4), DMP Assessment Guide (A5), Final OralCase Presentation (A3)
15. Work within clinical governance frameworks that include audit of prescribing practice and personal development (addressed in parts 1,2 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), DMP Assessment Guide (A5)
16. Participate regularly in CPD and maintain a record of their CPD activity (addressed in parts 1 & 3) ; Assessed by Prescribing Tasks (A1), DMP Assessment Guide(A5).

Skills:

* Analyse the local guidance on patient consent and confidentiality in relation to national guidance (knowledge and understanding, taught, facilitated/assessed [t/f/a]).
* Explain the underpinning ethical issues involved in the use of unlicensed medicines in their specialist area of prescribing (knowledge and understanding, professional practical skill [t/f/a]).
* Critically evaluate the influential sources of medicines and prescribing information in their specialist area (intellectual skill [t/f/a]) .
* Assess the role of each member of the healthcare team involved in prescribing for an individual patient (professional practical skill[t/f/a])
* Reflect on their own practice as a student in supplementary and independent prescribing and identify areas for continuous improvement (personal transferable skill [t/f/a]).
* Present findings on specific patient conditions and recommend appropriate prescribing regiments (key skill - presentations [t/f/a]).
* Analyse the differences in approaches to patient examination techniques (knowledge and understanding [t/f/a])
* Explain the effect that personal, patient and national influences may have on prescribing (knowledge and understanding, professional practical skill [t/f/a]).
* Critically evaluate the use of a national guideline in the context of a Clinical Management or treatment Plan (intellectual skill[t/f/a]).
* Reflect on their own practice in prescribing within the context of a Clinical Management and/or treatment Plan and identify areas for continuous improvement (personal transferable skill[t/f/a]).
* Present findings on communication skills needed within a consultation setting using the Calgary-Cambridge Guide (key skill - presentations[t/f/a]).
* Analyse the difference in disease monitoring for different patient groups within their prescribing specialty (knowledge and understanding). Explain the benefit of an evidence-based approach to prescribing in terms of patient safety and clinical management plans (knowledge and understanding, professional practical skill[t/f/a]).
* Critically evaluate the use of a therapeutic class of medicines in their area of prescribing (intellectual skill[t/f/a]).
* Assess the role self-audit in maintaining the safety and efficacy of the process of supplementary prescribing (professional practical skill[t/f/a]).
* Reflect on their own development as an independent prescriber and identify areas for continuous improvement (personal transferable skill[t/f/a]).
* Present findings on specific patient conditions, recommend appropriate prescribing and justify decision-making (key skill - presentations[t/f/a]).

Content:
1. Legal Framework for Supplementary and Independent Prescribing
2. The Clinical Management and Treatment Plan
3. Ethical Aspects of Prescribing
4. Prescribing and Confidentiality
5. Prescribing Medicines
6. Professionalism
7. Influences on Prescribing
8. Prescribing and Health Economy
9. The Clinical Management and Treatment Plan
10. The Psychology of Prescribing
11. Communication and Consultation Skills
12. Clinical and Examination Skills
13. Treatment Choice
14. Patient Monitoring
15. Critical Appraisal and Evidence-based Practice
16. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Principles of Prescribing
17. Prescribing for Special Patient Groups
18. Prescribing Safely
19. Clinical Governance and Prescribing.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PA50249 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
  • TSPA-ADM12 : MSc Prescribing & Therapeutics (Distance Learning)
  • TSPA-ADC15 : PG Cert Prescribing & Therapeutics (Distance Learning)
  • TSPA-ADL12 : PG Dip Prescribing & Therapeutics (Distance Learning)

PA50249 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
  • TSPA-ADT16 : Modular Programme in Advanced and Specialist Practice (Distance Learning)
  • TSPA-ADM16 : MSc Advanced and Specialist Healthcare Practice (Distance Learning)
  • TSPA-ADC16 : PG Cert Advanced and Specialist Healthcare Practice (Distance Learning)
  • TSPA-ADC14 : PG Cert Medicines Management (Distance Learning)
  • TSPA-ADL16 : PG Dip Advanced and Specialist Healthcare Practice (Distance Learning)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, 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.