Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to disease state management. It will cover concepts that span the range of diseases such as issues related to the management of paediatric and geriatric patients and the use and interpretation of laboratory tests for diagnosis and monitoring.

This unit provides a foundation of basic knowledge required for the diagnosis and management of patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. This unit will relate the pathophysiology of these disorders with the rational design and clinical use of drugs. The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of medications associated with each area are presented in detail in an integrated fashion.

This will involve the study of:

• Pathophysiology of respiratory diseases
• Chemistry of drugs used in respiratory diseases
• Pharmacology of drugs used in respiratory diseases
• Respiratory disease state management
• Pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases
• Chemistry of drugs used in gastrointestinal diseases
• Pharmacology of drugs used in gastrointestinal diseases
• Gastrointestinal disease state management

Objectives

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

1. Describe the epidemiology and concepts of disease state management of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases including the concepts affecting the management of various types of patients (e.g. paediatric and geriatric patients).
2. Evaluate a patient's laboratory test results to assist with the diagnosis or management of disease.
3. Describe the normal function of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, and the signs and symptoms likely to be seen in patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
4. Recognise when referral for medical assessment is required with a particular emphasis on cardinal symptoms.
5. Relate modifications of physiological and molecular mechanisms to the observed disorder.
6. Describe the chemistry of the different types of drugs used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders and the chemical and biological principals behind the development of a range of drugs used to treat these disorders.
7. Describe drug and non-drug therapy options for the management of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and primary and secondary prevention strategies for respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
8. Evaluate a patient's disease state, identify any drug therapy problems and recommend appropriate resolutions of those problems.
9. Formulate a medical management program for specific patients based on their medical, medication and psychosocial histories and laboratory test results.

Assessment

Final exam (3 hour): 70%; on-going assessments: 30%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Dan Malone

Contact hours

36 x 1hour lectures, 3 x 3hour tutorials, 2 x 3hour presentation/debate.

Prerequisites

PAC1111 Introduction to Physiology
PAC1132 Systems Physiology
PAC2171 Basis of Drug Action I
PAC2172 Basis of Drug Action II

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

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