Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit examines aspects of clinical laboratory data, monitoring patient signs and symptoms and issues in therapeutics. Specialist topics are covered in this unit eg. Cardiology, critical care, oncology.

Students are required to have the minimum computer systems requirements as specified by the Faculty and regular internet access.

Objectives

At completion of this unit it is expected that students will be able to:

• Describe the pathophysiology of selected disease states and explain the rationale for drug therapy
• Describe the therapeutic approach to management of these disease states including reference to the latest available evidence
• Describe the effects of aging on the disease and its management
• Discuss the controversies in drug therapy
• Comment on new (investigational) approaches to drug therapy
• Identify the patient-specific parameters relevant in initiating drug therapy, and monitoring therapy (including alternatives, time-course of clinical and laboratory indices of therapeutic response and adverse effects)
• Explain clinical interpretation of selected laboratory results in the context of patient monitoring
• Understand, define and calculate pharmacokinetic parameters to optimise drug dosing for specific patients
• Appreciate principles and clinical application of biotechnology in various therapeutic areas
• Demonstrate clinical skills relevant to each therapeutic area being studied

Assessment

Participation: 30%
assignments: 70%
submission of a learning portfolio: pass/fail

Chief examiner(s)

Mr John Coutsouvelis

Contact hours

Students are expected to allow 10-12 hours per week over the semester in study time.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

pharmacotherapypharmacy

Prerequisites

PGC5002, VCG5021

Prohibitions

VCG5022, PGC6010