Monash University

Leader(s): Dr David Kong

Offered

Sunway Second semester 2009 (Day)
Parkville Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit aims to provide first year students with the basic foundations required to successfully complete later year units of the Bachelor of Pharmacy course.

The unit aims to:

1. Enhance students' knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relevant to the practice of pharmacy (i.e. the health care system, the pharmacist and the patient);
2. Develop students' skills in communication and problem solving;
3. Develop students' dispensing skills and knowledge;
4. Develop students' ability to apply biostatistical and pharmaceutical calculations in the practice of pharmacy and health care;
5. Develop students' understanding of human behaviour and health psychology;
6. Introduce students to research methods used in epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology;
7. Develop students' generic skills in critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and working in teams.

Students will undertake self-directed learning, submit assignments, participate in tutorials and practicals, all of which will enhance their learning experience.

Objectives

At the end of this unit students are expected to be able to:

1. Describe the use of some commonly prescribed medicines;
2. Retrieve, interpret and communicate (orally or in writing) basic information about medicines or health care issues, and apply it to pharmacy practice;
3. Prepare and dispense simple dose forms of medicines, including recording prescriptions, labelling the medicines and counselling patients;
4. Perform basic pharmaceutical and biostatistical calculations;
5. Describe the research methods used in epidemiology and pharmacoepidemiology;
6. Describe the basic principles of human behaviour and health psychology and their application in the health care setting;
7. Apply the basic principles of human behaviour and health psychology in the practice of pharmacy.

Assessment

online pharmaceutical calculation test (hurdle requirement); essay: 15%; open book practical examination: 15%; end of semester written exam: 70%

Contact hours

36 1 hour lectures and six 3 hour practicals

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/