Infections 1
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| PHAR2044 | Pharmacy | 2 | N/A | Autumn Malaysia |
- Code
- PHAR2044
- School
- Pharmacy
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- N/A
- Semesters
- Autumn Malaysia
Summary
Antibiotics and antifungals are among the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat infection. Therefore, it is important that pharmacists understand the underlying principles of these classes of drugs. Antibiotics are also however among the drugs most commonly overprescribed by medical professionals with the consequence of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, resulting in a serious threat to global public health. This Teaching block will provide a basic grounding in microbiology, common infectious diseases, mode of action and spectrum of antimicrobial agents, and how these drugs are delivered to and dealt with by the body. The Teaching bloick will also cover antibiotic prescribing and dispensing, and infection control.
Examples of topics within the module include:
- Common bacterial and fungal infections and current treatment regimes.
- Targeted antimicrobial chemotherapy.
- Emerging resistance of microorganisms and future directions for antimicrobial strategies.
- Tuberculosis infection as a global infection health issue.
The module also uses examples of antibiotics and antifungals to highlight key scientific concepts in the pharmacology, chemistry, ADME and pharmaceuticals of important classes of drugs.
Target Students
Only available for students studying MPharm AND Only available for UNM / Year 2 students
Assessment
Educational Aims
This Teaching block aims to give students an appreciation of microbiology and infectious diseases, a deep understanding of the key classes of antimicrobial drugs, and detailed knowledge regarding antibiotic prescribing from a clinical pharmacy perspective. The student will also understand the scientific principles of the mode of action and formulation of currently used antibiotics and antifungals. On completion of the Teaching block students should have a clear understanding of these key concepts and their role as pharmacists, as part of the healthcare team, in infection control and tackling global infection health issues.Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate empathy and keep the person at the centre of their approach to care at all times
- Work in partnership with people to support and empower them in shared decision-making about their health and wellbeing
- Demonstrate effective communication at all times and adapt their approach and communication style to meet the needs of the person
- Understand the variety of settings and adapt their communication accordingly
- Proactively support people to make safe and effective use of their medicines and devices
- Treat people as equals, with dignity and respect, and meet their own legal responsibilities under equality and human rights
- Obtain informed consent before providing care and pharmacy services
- Assess and respond to the person’s particular health risks, taking account of individuals’ protected characteristics and background
- Take responsibility for ensuring that personal values and beliefs do not compromise person-centred care
- Demonstrate effective consultation skills, and in partnership with the person, decide the most appropriate course of action
- Take into consideration factors that affect people’s behaviours in relation to health and wellbeing
- Recognise the psychological, physiological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people
- Work collaboratively and effectively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure high-quality, person-centred care, including continuity of care
- Demonstrate the values, attitudes and behaviours expected of a pharmacy professional at all times
- Apply professional judgement in all circumstances, taking legal and ethical reasoning into account
- Recognise and work within the limits of their knowledge and skills, and get support and refer to others when they need to
- Take responsibility for all aspects of health and safety and take actions when necessary
- Act openly and honestly when things go wrong and raise concerns even when it is not easy to do so
- Apply the science behind pharmacy in all activities
- Apply pharmaceutical principles to the safe and effective formulation, preparation, packaging and disposal of medicines and products
- Consider the quality, safety and risks associated with medicines and products and take appropriate action when producing, supplying and prescribing them
- Demonstrate effective diagnostic skills, including physical examination, to decide the most appropriate course of action for the person
- Apply the principles of clinical therapeutics, pharmacology and genomics to make effective use of medicines for people, including in their prescribing practice
- Appraise the evidence base and apply clinical reasoning and professional judgement to make safe and logical decisions which minimise risk and optimise outcomes for the person
- Accurately perform calculations
- Effectively promote healthy lifestyles using evidence-based techniques
- Apply the principles of effective monitoring and management to improve health outcomes
- Apply relevant legislation and ethical decision-making related to prescribing, including remote prescribing
- Prescribe effectively within the relevant systems and frameworks for medicines use
- Understand clinical governance in relation to prescribing, while also considering that the prescriber may be in a position to supply the prescribed medicines to people
- Take responsibility for people’s health records, including the legality, appropriateness, accuracy, security and confidentiality of personal data
- Understand and implement relevant safeguarding procedures, including local and national guidance in relation to each person
- Effectively make use of local and national health and social care policies to improve health outcomes and public health, and to address health inequalities
- Proactively participate in the promotion and protection of public health in their practice
- Identify misuse of medicines and implement effective strategies to deal with this
- Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, including the provision of first aid
- Demonstrate effective leadership and management skills as part of the multi-disciplinary team
- Actively take part in the management of risks and consider the impacts on people
- Use tools and techniques to avoid medication errors associated with prescribing, supply and administration
- Take appropriate actions to respond to complaints, incidents or errors in a timely manner and to prevent them happening again
- Recognise when and how their performance or that of others could put people at risk and take appropriate actions
- Demonstrate resilience and flexibility, and apply effective strategies to manage multiple priorities, uncertainty, complexity and change
- Reflect upon, identify, and proactively address their learning needs
- Support the learning and development of others, including through mentoring
Conveners
- Dr Kenny Gah Leong Voon