Postgraduate courses and subjects 2000 - Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

Coordinator: Ms Kirstie Galbraith
The Victorian College of Pharmacy commenced teaching the former Graduate Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy in 1978. A new Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy commenced in 1995. The course is conducted on a part-time basis over two academic years (one day per week with four one-week clinical pharmacy placements over the two years). It is the student's responsibility to arrange the necessary release time from her or his employer.
The Postgraduate 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.
Modules include statistics, research methodology, interpretation of clinical/laboratory data, pharmacokinetics, drug literature evaluation, drug-induced disease, pathophysiology, therapeutics and clinical pharmacy.
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 is closely monitored; marks are allocated on degree of participation in session, on rapport established with colleagues, on information contributed and on communication skills.
In addition to the timetabled activities, the student is expected to spend another eight to 12 hours per week on personal private study. This involves library and literature assignments, preparation of case histories, and reviewing material for upcoming lectures.
Fees
Australian students - $8000 for whole course, ie $2000 per semester.