UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit continues to explore the professional role of the pharmacist introduced in PHCY5601 Introduction to Pharmacy Practice. Emphasis is placed on students increasing their awareness of the patient as a whole through the concept of patient-centred care. This involves the development of professional ethics, communication and problem-solving skills through tutorials, workshops and reflective activities. To present a clinical perspective, the pharmacology and pharmacotherapy of major disease states are delivered in an integrated fashion. This provides students with a practical understanding of how theoretical knowledge is applied to patients and provides an in-depth look into the pharmacists' role in management of these disease states. A case-based approach to learning will ensure that the student focus is on the key learning outcomes.

Topics include the autonomic nervous system, pain, cardiology, respiratory medicine and diabetes. Simulated pharmacy practice sessions continue to develop both the integration of knowledge with practice and the students' communication skills.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the role of the pharmacist and communication in the delivery of patient-centred care through interactive sessions, role-play and case studies; (2) discuss the role of beliefs, values and attitudes in a diverse community and demonstrate the ability to work with patients' beliefs, values and attitudes to provide patient-centred care; (3) demonstrate the dispensing of prescriptions using dispensing software; (4) explain the basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics; (5) demonstrate an advanced understanding of the clinical physiology and pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system and apply this knowledge to identify drug effects at these targets; (6) describe the mechanism of action, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetic properties, therapeutic uses, contraindications, adverse effects and clinically significant drug interactions of the principal drugs and drug classes used to treat various conditions; (7) apply knowledge of pharmacological principles and major disease states to clinical decision-making; and (8) develop medication management plans using evidence based principles for major disease states that includes anticipated therapeutic goals as well as any clinical testing requirements for monitoring drug effectiveness and potential toxicity.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written examination; (2) oral assessment; (3) ongoing assessments; and (4) professional behaviour assessment. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the oral assessment and professional behaviour assessment components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Jila Misaghian

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

51500 Master of Pharmacy

and Successful completion of

PHCY5615 Pharmacy Placement I

Contact hours

6 hours per week

Texts

Rossi, S., ed. Australian Medicines Handbook, current edn: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd

Sansom, L.N., ed. Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and Handbook, current edn, Pharmaceutcal Society of Australia

Recommended
reading

Kyle, G., Firipis, M. and Tietze, K. Skills for Pharmacists: a Patient-focused Approach: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier 2015

Chen, T. et al. Medication Review: a Process Guide for Pharmacists, current edn: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Chen, T. et al. Pharmacist Only and Pharmacy Medicines: a Process Guide for Pharmacists, current edn: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Gowan, J. and Roller, L. Practical Disease State Management for Pharmacists, current edn: Australian Pharmaceutical Publishing Company

Hughes, J. et al. Use of Laboratory Test Data: Process Guide and Reference for Pharmacists, current edn: Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Rang, H et al. Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. Current edition. Elsevier

Kumar, V. et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 8th edn: Elsevier Saunders 2009