PHR3141 - Comprehensive Care: Pathogens, host defence and treatment - 2019

This unit provides the knowledge and skills required for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients with selected infectious diseases. The unit will cover bacterial, viral, and fungal infections as well as antimicrobial stewardship. 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 explored in an integrated fashion. This unit will involve the development of pharmacy relevant skills such as therapeutic reasoning and, oral and written communication skills. Quality use of medicines for treating infectious diseases 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 fundamental concepts in microbiology and associated immunology regarding microorganism classification, microbial genetics and immunological processes
2. Describe the epidemiology and clinical aspects of infectious disease state management for selected bacterial and viral infections including respiratory, skin and soft tissue, and urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis, the human immunodeficiency virus and associated opportunistic infections
3. Describe the signs and symptoms, and diagnostic methods relevant to a variety of infectious diseases
4. Describe the molecular basis of drug action together with some key chemical and biological principles behind the development of medicines used to treat infectious diseases
5. Explain the mechanism of action of drugs used in treatment of infectious diseases, and predict how this leads to the treatment of disease, possible side effects and drug resistance
6. In the context of a pharmacist and a standardised approach to patient centred care (e.g. Monash Model of CARE) in patients' with an infectious disease:
   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 established antimicrobial stewardship protocols and a multidisciplinary healthcare team approach, develop and articulate appropriate clinical and communication strategies to treat infectious diseases
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.intranet.monash/pharm/students/undergrad/courses/bpharmhttps://www.monash.edu/pharm/students/undergrad/course-information/bpharm