PHR3041 - Comprehensive Care: Blood, Brain and Cancers - 2019

This unit provides the knowledge and skills required for the therapeutic management of patients with selected blood and brain conditions as well as cancers. Specifically, the unit will cover conditions involving the brain such as depression and schizophrenia, conditions affecting blood such as anaemias, and cancers such as leukaemia and lung cancer. Students will relate the pathophysiology and epidemiology of these conditions to the rational design and clinical use of medicines. The chemistry, pharmacology, disposition, and clinical and therapeutic aspects of medicines associated with each condition will be 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. Quality use of medicines principles 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 the pathophysiology of selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers
2. Describe the epidemiology and clinical aspects of disease state management for selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers
3. Describe the signs and symptoms, and diagnostic methods relevant to a variety of blood and brain conditions, and cancers
4. Describe the molecular basis of drug action together with some key chemical and biological principles behind the development of medicines used to treat selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers
5. Explain the mechanism of action of drugs used in treatment of selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers, and predict how this leads to the treatment of disease and possible side effects
6. In the context of a pharmacist and a standardised approach to patient centred care (e.g. Monash Model of CARE) in patients' with a blood or brain condition and/or cancer:
   1. Gather and integrate information concerning the chemistry and pharmacology of medicines, in addition to pharmacokinetic and patient specific factors, to identify potential management options
   2. Create a medication management plan which incorporates established clinical guidelines and a comprehensive clinical review of their medicine-related problems
   3. List and prioritise drug and non-drug therapy options for condition management
   4. Evaluate and justify when referral for medical assessment is required, with a particular emphasis on symptoms indicative of referral
   5. Develop, apply and communicate education strategies that provide support and optimise patient-centred relationships and outcomes
7. Reflect on the development and implementation of the Monash Model of CARE plan
8. Using a multidisciplinary healthcare team approach, develop and articulate appropriate clinical and communication strategies to treat selected blood and brain conditions, and cancers
9. Demonstrate proficiency in simulated clinical settings by applying clinical reasoning and collaborative decision making to communicate a medication management plan that optimises patient health outcomes

Assessment will comprise:

• 50% final exams
• 50% in semester assessments

For the exams and in semester assessments, all learning outcomes will be assessed.

• One hundred and forty-four hours of independent study
• Forty-eight hours of pre-learning activities (up to 4 hours per week)
• Forty-eight hours of active learning lectures (4 hours a week)
• Forty-eight hours of small group classes including assessment (4 hours per week)
• One 2-hours written examination
• One 1.5 hours written examination

See also Unit timetable information

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