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 , it is required that 60 credits (40 credit points) should be approved from semester 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, it is required that 150 credits (100 credit points) should be approved from semester 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 which are tested individually. Knowledge in Swedish and English equivalent to that required for basic level entry into Swedish higher education. 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:

- evaluate and adapt a drug treatment after older patients' special preconditions such as physiological changes, comorbidity and polypharmacy

- extract and interpret information from a dose recipe

- define inappropriate drugs and drug combinations for the elderly patient

- choose and justify appropriate drug treatment concerning preparation, dose, dosage intervals, pharmaceutical form and treatment time adapted to given older patient and other drug treatment

- identify, evaluate and respond to simple drug-related problems from medication list, symptom estimation scale and medical records

- choose and justify a priority order for found drug-related problems

- state and justify a phase-out schedule for selected drugs

- choose appropriate non-pharmacological treatment with regard to the given older patient and 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 specific housing. During 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 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, self-study of literature and practice. Problem-based learning is included as a working method.

Compulsory parts of the course:

Course introduction, group discussions, seminars, practice, written assignments, oral presentations 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). A chance to finalise a failed compulsory part can be arranged only at the next course occasion and only in case of a vacancy.

Each student has the right to in all six examinations, i.e. one examination and five re-examinations.