The Master of Clinical Pharmacy is a new course for 2003 and replaces the former Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy. The course is conducted on a part-time basis over two academic years with one full day of contact per week. In addition, each student will be required to complete a four-week speciality clinical rotation with an experienced clinical preceptor. The timing of this placement will be flexible and dependent on the university, the preceptor and the student. The student will also be required to carry out a small practice-based research project. It is the responsibility of each student to arrange the necessary time release from his or her employer to complete the placement and the research project.
The Master of Clinical Pharmacy is designed for the student to establish
skills in evidence-based medicine (both theory and practice), quality use of
medicine, practice-based research and provision of clinical pharmacy services
at a high level.
The structure of the course combines didactic sessions at the university or at
hospital sites, and clinical experiential sessions, including tutorials,
seminars, case histories and ward rounds.
Modules include biostatistics and epidemiology, evidence-based medicine,
clinical pharmacology (including pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics and
biotechnology), interpretation of clinical data, pharmacotherapy, research
project, journal club and speciality clinical placement.
Great importance is placed on the active participation of each student in
seminar presentations and discussion groups. The student's performance at these
seminars and tutorials is closely monitored; marks are allocated on degree of
participation, on rapport established with colleagues, on information
contributed and on communication skills.
In addition to the timetabled activities, each student is expected to spend
another 12 to 15 hours per week on personal private study. This involves
library and literature asignments, preparation of case histories, and reviewing
material for upcoming lectures. All students are expected to have access to
computer and internet facilities.
The Master of Clinical Pharmacy is open to pharmacists registered to practise
in Australia. Students with a four-year undergraduate degree will be eligible
at the end of their pre-registration year. Students with a three- year
undergraduate degree will be eligible following a period of clinical
experience. In the event of a surplus of applicants over places, acceptance may
be via an interview process.
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