Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit enables students to describe the general processes of drug administration, disposition and effects in the body. It covers key pharmacological aspects of a range of specific drug groups that are relevant to podiatric practice. Student learn to describe, interpret and apply information relating to topics such as drug interactions, adverse effects of drugs and the principles of drug prescribing for patients. Particular attention is paid to an understanding of drugs on the podiatry national drug list. The unit provides a basic knowledge for podiatric graduates to understand and interpret the actions and uses of new drug molecules as they are introduced into therapeutics throughout their working life.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2023 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe and interpret the general processes of drug administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion in the body; (2) explain the concepts of affinity, efficacy, potency with respect to the action of agonists and antagonists at selected drug target; (3) describe the key role that the dose-response relationship plays in the beneficial and adverse effects of drugs; (4) describe, with examples, the effect of drugs on the function of adrenoceptors and cholinoceptors within the ANS, and their potential clinical uses; (5) explain, with examples, how drugs might affect neurotransmission at adrenergic and cholinergic synapses within the ANS; (6) discuss the pathophysiology and treatment of diabetes mellitus; (7) discuss the physiological actions and clinical applications of glucocorticoids; (8) recognise that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications are increased in the indigenous population; (9) recognise the role that obesity plays in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus; (10) describe the main drug groups employed in the management of hypertension and be aware of their main physiological effects that are relevant to the practice of podiatry; (11) describe the main drug groups employed in the management of heart failure and coronary heart disease and be aware of their main physiological effects that are relevant to the practice of podiatry; (12) describe the main anticoagulant and antiplatelet drug groups and be aware of their pharmacological effects and important drug interactions that are relevant to the practice of podiatry; (13) explain the mechanism of action of antibacterial drugs, and the difference between bacteriostatic and bactericidal drug action; (14) discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses and side effects of major classes of antibacterial drugs; (15) discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses and side effects of major classes of antifungal drugs; (16) discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses and side effects of opioid and non-opioid analgesics; (17) discuss the complexity of drug action in the CNS at anatomical, cellular and molecular levels; (18) discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses and side effects of major classes of antidepressant drugs; (19) discuss the mechanism of action, clinical uses and side effects of major classes of anxiolytic drugs; (20) apply basic knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics to the test,management of patients with infection, pain and dermatological conditions; (21) demonstrate ability to prescribe appropriate drug therapy for specific Podiatric clinical conditions; (22) demonstrate ability to use drug therapy as appropriate in the management plan for a patient; (23) utilize evidence based practice in prescribing drugs in Podiatric Medicine Practice; (24) understand the importance of patient education in prescribed drug therapy including directions, action and potential side effects of medication; (25) understand the importance of team work, such as collaboration with GP, in specific case management; (26) acknowledge the prescribing rights of Podiatrist within the health care system in Australia; and (27) understand the legal responsibilities of Podiatrists endorsement rights in Australia.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) prescription writing exercise; (2) test; and (3) written examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Ricky Chen
- Unit rules
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.