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. Some subjects are taught in distance
education mode.
Modules include statistics, research methodology, interpretation of
clinical/laboratory data, pharmacokinetics, drug literature evaluation,
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.
Australian students - $9800 for the whole course, ie $2450 per semester.
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