General provisions

This course replaces and corresponds to the course 3FB060 Drugs and the Elderly. 1.5 credits (hp) correspond to 1 credit point (p) according to previous study regulation.

Entry requirements

For students on the Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy applies that 60 credits/40 credit points should be approved from term 1-3 and gone through all earlier courses on the programme. The student should also have passed results of basic courses within: physiology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy. For students on the Master of Science Programme in Pharmacy applies that 150 credits/100 credit points should be approved from term 1-6 and going through earlier courses within the programme. The student should also have passed results of basic courses within: physiology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy. Qualified to single subject course is the one that has 150 credits/100 credit points,passed courses about lowest 60 credits/40 credit points within Pharmaceutical bioscience and/or Pharmacy, of which at least 7.5 credits/5 credit points Pharmacokinetics B and 7.5 credits/5 credit points Pharmacotherapy B and basic course in physiology and pharmacology or the equivalent knowledge. Equivalent knowledge is tested individually. Knowledge in Swedish and English equivalent to what is required for basic eligibility to Swedish higher education on basic level. Older degree or the equivalent education is tested in each individual case.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student should be able to contribute to a better use of drugs in the elderly. After examination, the student should be able to: - account for and explain the special prerequisites and problems that influence the use of drugs of the elderly such as physiological changes, inappropriate drugs, comorbidity and polypharmacy - interpret a dose prescription card (ApoDos) - state and evaluate inappropriate drugs and drug combinations for the elderly patient - choose and justify appropriate drug and treatment duration to given older patient with regard to current recommendations and patient-related factors such as other diseases, age, organ functions and other drug treatment - choose and justify appropriate dose, dosage intervals and pharmaceutical form to given older patient with regard to age, organ functions and the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity of the drug - identify, evaluate, solve and prevent simpler drug-related problems, such as side effects and interactions from medication list, symptom assessment scale and medical records - evaluate found problems in a given older patient and choose a priority order for interventions. - choose and justify appropriate non-pharmacological treatment to given older patient with regard to current recommendations.

Content

The course includes common diseases among older patients. The student works with and discusses patient case from medication list, symptom assessment scale and medical records. The student also obtains an insight in Swedish geriatric care through practice on a nursing facility. Under the practice, the student documents a patient case and make an investigative assignment. During the course, the student may also train: - the ability to communicate with patients and health-care personnel - the ability to extract information from dose prescription cards and medical records - the ability to search, sort, critically review and pass on drug-related information - oral presentation - decision making - independent thinking - work in groups

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, group discussions, seminars, study visit, individual studies of literature and practice. Problem-based learning is included as a working method. Compulsory parts of the course: Course introduction, group discussions, discussion and presentation of thematic articles, seminars, practice, investigative assignment and exam follow-up.

Assessment

Examination takes place at the end of the course. For a passing grade the student must pass the examination (examination code) and all portions of the course that are obligatory (examination code). Obligatory portions of the course may be completed or re-taken when the same course is offered again if, and only if the course is not full. Students who have failed the first examination are allowed five re-examinations.