PHR2142 - Comprehensive Care: Cardiovascular - 2019

This unit provides the knowledge and skills required for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients with cardiovascular conditions. Specifically, the unit will cover cardiovascular diseases and disorders such as hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis and thromboembolic disorders. This unit will relate the pathophysiology and epidemiology of these conditions with the rational design and clinical use of medicines. The chemistry, pharmacology, disposition, and clinical and therapeutic aspects of medicines associated with each condition are presented in an integrated fashion. This unit will involve the development of pharmacy relevant skills such as critical thinking and oral and written communication skills. Drug therapy principles for treating cardiovascular conditions will be emphasised, enabling students to acquire the skills necessary to optimise patient outcomes in different cultural settings.

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

1. Describe how the structure and function of the cardiovascular system is affected by disease
2. Describe the epidemiology and clinical aspects of disease state management for cardiovascular conditions, including primary and secondary prevention strategies
3. Describe the signs and symptoms, and diagnostic methods relevant to cardiovascular conditions
4. Explain the mechanism of action of drugs used in treatment of cardiovascular conditions, and predict how this leads to the treatment of disease and possible side effects
5. List and prioritise drug and non-drug therapy options for the management of acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions
6. Evaluate a patient's cardiovascular condition and create a patient specific care plan which applies established clinical guidelines and a comprehensive clinical review of potential drug-related problems
7. Evaluate and justify when referral for medical assessment is required, with a particular emphasis on symptoms indicative of referral
8. Apply counselling strategies that provide support and optimise behavioural change for patients with cardiovascular conditions
9. Using a multidisciplinary healthcare team approach, develop and articulate appropriate clinical and communication strategies to treat cardiovascular conditions

Final examination 50%; in-semester assessment 50%

• Seventy-two hours of independent study
• Twenty-four hours of pre-learning activities (up to 4 hours per week for 6 weeks)
• Twenty-four hours of active learning lectures (4 hours per week for 6 weeks)
• Twenty-four hours of small group classes including assessment (4 hours per week for 6 weeks)
• One 2-hour written examination

See also Unit timetable information

https://www.monash.edu/pharm/students/undergrad/course-information/bpharm