Module overview
This module is designed to provide you with the underpinning scientific basis on which you can use to further develop your pharmacological knowledge as applied to neonatal clinical practice. You will have access to renown clinical pharmacology specialists who are working at the cutting edge of research and pharmacological management of the neonate.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Evaluate critically the effectiveness of drug actions and demonstrate expertise in applying this knowledge to prescribing practice and/or medicines management in neonatal clinical practice.
- Critically explore evidence based practice, clinical governance and safe clinical practice and regulation with regard to neonatal prescribing.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology and related clinical sciences which can be applied to your assessment and management of neonates.
- Consider strategies that build, develop and maintain concordant partnerships that enhance adherence, safe, ethical and effective medicines management and show originality in identifying how these factors can be used to inform prescribing practice in the neonatal context.
Syllabus
This module will focus on the principles of clinical pharmacology. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic relationships and will learn how to apply these principles in clinical practice.
The following topics will be covered:
Clinical pharmacology including the effects of co-morbidity
?Pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics
?Anatomy and physiology as applied to neonatal prescribing practice
?Basic principles of drugs to be prescribed, and drug handling e.g. absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, including but not limited to adverse drug reactions (ADR) and interactions with other diseases. Interactions, reactions and drug response specifically related to the neonatal patient.
?Impact of physiological state on drug responses and safe prescribing practice, for example, in neonates
?Ordering, interpreting and responding to laboratory investigations
?Selection of drug regimen in well neonates and vulnerable sick neonates
?Pharmaco-therapeutics related to controlled drugs
Evidence-based practice, clinical governance and ethics in relation to prescribing
?Knowledge of sources of evidence based prescribing including international, European, national and local guidelines, protocols, policies, decision support systems and formularies – including rationale for, adherence to and deviation from such guidance.
?Critical analytical skills
?Identify and report unexpected and adverse drug reactions and near misses
?Clinical Trials of Drugs Used Off-label in Neonates: Ethical Issues
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module will take a broad-based learner centred approach to teaching and learning methods, intending to promote deeper learning whilst meeting a range of learning styles. The core theoretical material will be delivered as online text “lectures” within a “Virtual Learning Environment” (VLE) and you will be allocated to discussion groups (“Discussion Forums”) which will be tasked with reflecting on, and discussing within the VLE clinical scenarios which relate to the theoretical material.
The groups will each include approximately 15 participants and discussions will be directed and modulated by experienced tutors – two per group. While most of the discussions will be asynchronous – by leaving comments within the Discussion Forums - each group will also hold synchronous discussions, possibly once every two or three weeks, when they will “meet” together either online or using media such as Webex or Zoom. Where appropriate, “Plenary Sessions” and Guest Lectures will be included, which will allow you to share in discussions on current research and best available evidence.
A range of resource material, including links to relevant online sites, will be made available on the VLE. These methods will facilitate learning from text-based material, from participation in discussion and reflection with peers working in a range of different cultural environments. Specially developed case based studies will be explored to focus on the application of the lecture materials. Topics including the use of specific medications will be debated and evaluated.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 |
| Tutorial | 10 |
| Completion of assessment task | 30 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 80 |
| Wider reading or practice | 50 |
| Follow-up work | 20 |
| Seminar | 20 |
| Revision | 20 |
| Total study time | 250 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
Neonatal clinical pharmacology.
A Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Paediatric prescribing principles - online learning.
Textbooks
Rang, H.P., Dale, M., Ritter, J.M. and Flower R.J. (2007). Pharmacology. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (2019). British National Formulary & or BNF for Children. Oxford: Pharmaceutical Press.
Neal, M (2015). Medical Pharmacology at a Glance.. London.
Preston CL (2015). Stockley's Drug Interactions Pocket Companion. Pharmaceutical Press.
Constable, S., Winstanley, T.and Walley, P. (2007). Medical Pharmacology: A Clinical Core Text for Integrated Curricula with Self Assessment (Master Medicine). Churchill Livingstone.
Ritter JM et al (2019). Rang and Dale's Pharmacology. London.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The formative strategy will enable iterative formative written feedback to be provided with regard to your online activity. This will be completed by your online tutors and the module lead half way through the module, in addition examples of the MCQ questions will also be provided within the Assessment Office of the VLE. The summative approach to assessment is designed to enable you to demonstrate your depth and breadth of neonatal pulmonology knowledge as well as your ability to demonstrate your ability to use higher cognitive skills. It includes the following: 1. An unseen 2 hour online written examination comprising 30 “best-of-five” questions. This contributes 80% of your final mark. (these questions consist of a descriptive stem, a specific lead-in question and 5 options from which one best answer must be selected). 2. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of your online activity and participation within your learning group. This contributes 20% of your final mark. All elements of the assessment must be attempted and an overall pass mark of 50% or more must be achieved for successful completion of the module.Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice question | 80% |
| Qualitative evaluation | 20% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Summative assessments | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External