The Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy is designed for the student to establish a knowledge base of pathophysiology and therapeutics; develop skills in critical literature evaluation; discuss issues in research methodology; and develop and demonstrate clinical practical skills.
The structure of the course combines didactic sessions at the college or hospital sites, and clinical experiential sessions, including tutorials, seminars, case histories and ward rounds.
Great importance is placed on the active participation of each of the students in seminar presentations and discussion groups. The student's performances at these seminars and tutorials will be closely monitored; marks will be allocated on degree of participation in session, on rapport established with colleagues, on information contributed and communication skills.
In addition to the timetabled activities, it is expected that the student will spend another eight to twelve hours per week on personal private study. This will involve library and literature assignments, preparation of case histories, and reviewing material for upcoming lectures.
Didactic coursework and clinical sessions will be organised around organ system pathophysiology and therapeutics, including renal medicine, gastroenterology, immunology, respiratory medicine, cardiology, infectious disease, neurology, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, geriatrics, haematology and oncology.
Lectures and tutorials will be held on topics in pharmaceutical care, literature retrieval and evaluation, biostatistics, research methodology and current issues in clinical practice.
Reference books
DiPiro J T and others (eds) Pharmacotherapy: A pathophysiologic approach 2nd edn, Elsevier, 1992
Evans W E and others (eds) Applied pharmaceokinetics: Principles of therapeutic drug monitoring 3rd edn, Applied Therapeutics, 1992
Isselbacher K J and others (eds) Harrison's `Principles of internal medicine' 13th edn, McGraw-Hill, 1994
Koda-Kimble M A and Young L Y Applied therapeutics: The clinical use of drugs 5th edn, Applied Therapeutics, 1992