General provisions

This course replaces and corresponds to the course 3FB115 Pharmacotherapy. 1.5 credits (hp) correspond to 1 credit point (p) according to previous study regulation.

Entry requirements

For students on the Master of Science Programme in Pharmacy applies that 100 credit points/150 credits from term 1 to 6 is required and that the student has followed all earlier courses within the programme. For students on the Bachelor of Science Programme in Pharmacy applies that 40 credit points/60 credits from term 1 to 3 is required and that the student has followed all earlier courses within the programme.

Admitted to the Master's programme in medication use.

For applicants on single subject course Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree or 150 credits within an pharmaceutical education is required, including at least 30 credits in pharmaceutical sciences and/or pharmacy, which will include at least 7.5 credits pharmacokinetics and basic course in physiology and pharmacology, or the equivalent which is considered individually.

Learning outcomes

The student should on completion of the course independently be able to assess and evaluate a pharmacotherapy from the patient's individual prerequisites and the specific properties of the drugs.

After examination, the student should be able to:

- identify selected diseases based on knowledge of pathology and motivate with given symptoms and laboratory values

- state which basic laboratory tests and other basic investigations that are of value for the diagnosis and monitoring of drug therapy in selected disease areas

- choose and justify appropriate drug and treatment duration to a given 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, dosing interval and pharmaceutical form for a given patient with regard to age, organ functions and drug pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity

- calculate creatinine clearance using the Cockroft-Gaults equation and by results and patient factors evaluate renal function and the need for adjustment of drug therapy

- identify, evaluate and respond to adverse reactions and interactions based on clinical history, symptoms, laboratory values and drug therapy and justify actions

- choose appropriate non-pharmacological treatment with regard to the given patient and current recommendations

- demonstrate an ability to cooperate in a group, with both their own and other professions

- identify the need for further knowledge and formulate relevant learning outcomes

Content

The course includes common diseases within primary care and in patient care, Swedish therapeutic recommendations, drug choices, dosage choices, individual variability and side effects. Work with interactions takes place in the form of a workshop. The student works with and discusses lifelike patient cases in the form of summarising descriptions where medical history, symptoms and laboratory values are stated.

During the course, the student may also train:

- the ability to search, sort, critically review and pass on drug-related information

- oral presentation in groups

- decision making

- independent thinking

- work in groups

Instruction

Problem-based learning is used as educational method. Lectures, group exercise, seminars, workshop and individual studies of literature are included. Compulsory parts of the course: Course introduction, group meetings, seminars 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 it, the course is not full. Students who have failed the first examination are allowed five re-examinations.