Master of Clinical Pharmacy - 2019

The course is designed to enable you to advance your skills in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to patients with complex clinical needs. It has a focus on evidence-based practice and quality use of medicine. The learning experience is student-driven and patient-focused. It allows you to select units related to various areas of pharmacy practice or to select a more research-focused stream where you will undertake a practice-based research project.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you, in the context of patients with complex clinical needs, will be able to:

1. integrate a high level of knowledge, critical analysis, problem solving, and evidence based decision making into clinical practice
2. implement principles of quality use of medicines
3. critically evaluate literature to develop research questions
4. synthesise clinical and research information to communicate with a range of health care professionals and patients
5. demonstrate leadership and innovation in clinical practice
6. reflect on learning and performance to formulate ongoing professional practice development.

The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Core master's studies and Part B. Advanced studies.

Part A. Core master's studies

In these studies you will gain an understanding of evidence-based practice and develop the skills for incorporating evidence into patient care. You will develop knowledge and skills for patient care including aspects such as clinical laboratory data, monitoring patient signs and symptoms and issues in therapeutics. You will also gain the ability to reflect on your level of performance on practice and identify means to further advance your practice.

Part B. Advanced studies

In these studies you will choose a stream to suit your interests and career aspirations. You have two options:

1. a coursework stream where you select the units to suit your own interest. These studies cover aspects of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, economics related to health care and wound care relevant to pharmacy.
2. a coursework and research stream where you will follow a set study plan that will help you gain specialist clinical knowledge in addition to advanced skills in research and clinical pharmacy practice.

   Students completing option b. must have achieved a minimum mark of 65 per cent in PGC5101 Evidence based practice during core master's studies. You must also achieve a minimum mark of 65 per cent in MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics. In addition, you will be required to demonstrate that you are engaged in patient care activities and have appropriate research support from your workplace which will enable you to engage fully with the program.

The course comprises 72 points structured into two parts: Part A. Core master's studies (18 points) and Part B. Advanced studies (54 points).

If you are admitted at:

• entry level 1 you complete 72 points, comprising Part A (18 points) and Part B (54 points)
• entry level 2 you complete 48 points, comprising Part A (18 points) and Part B (30 points).

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete the higher credit-point option.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-p6002.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Part A. Core master's studies (18 credit points)

You must complete:

Within the first three units of study:

• PGC5101 Evidence based practice*
• PGC5102 Advanced therapeutics 1

Within the final two units of study:

• PGC5119 Professional practice portfolio

Part B. Advanced studies (54 credit points)

You must complete either a. or b. below.

a. Coursework

You must complete 30 or 54 points (depending on your entry level) from the elective lists A and B below.

b. Coursework and research

You must complete:

• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics*
• PGC5107 Introduction to clinical research
• PGC5108 Clinical research 2
• PGC5109 Clinical research 3
• 6 or 30 points (depending on your entry level) from the elective lists A and B below

* If you do not achieve a minimum grade of 65 per cent in PGC5101 and MPH5020 you will be automatically moved into the coursework stream.

Elective list A

Note: You cannot complete more than 12 points of electives from list A without prior approval from the course director.

• HEC5970 Introduction to health economics
• HEC5971 Pharmaceutical economics
• HEC5973 Economic evaluation in healthcare
• HEC5975Not offered in 2019 Principles of health economics for developing countries
• MPH5020 Introduction to epidemiology and biostatistics

Elective list B

• PGC5103 Advanced therapeutics 2
• PGC5107 Introduction to clinical research
• PGC5110 Infectious diseases pharmacotherapy
• PGC5113 Dermatology
• PGC5115 Geriatric pharmacy practice
• PGC5116 Geriatric disease state management
• PGC5117 Mental health
• PGC5118 Palliative Care
• PGW5201 Principles of wound healing
• PGW5202 Wound assessment
• PGW5203 Wound management principles
• PGW5204 Acute and chronic wounds
• up to 12 credit points of complementary units**

** Units will be assessed by the course director, to ensure the proposed units are not substantially similar to units offered within the faculty and offer equivalency of content and learning outcomes, and whether there is significant educational advantage for the proposed program of study.

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate of Clinical Pharmacy after successful completion of 24 points of study including PGC5101 and PGC5102
• Graduate Diploma of Clinical Pharmacy after successful completion of 48 points of study including PGC5101 and PGC5102.

If you complete the coursework and research stream you may be eligible to progress to a higher degree by research.