This module is optional for students on the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences, although core for students wishing to progress to the MPharm. It allows you to examine health promotion within community pharmacy with reference to current campaigns. You will come up with your own health promotion materials. There is also a practical dispensing element which gives experience of handling different types of dosage forms. The module also allows you to go on a placement in a pharmacy-related workplace with access to patients. You will give detailed consideration as to why patients turn up for help from a pharmacist, how they can be most suitably helped and what special needs or requirements they may have. Approximately 15% of the teaching time is spent in practicals and workshops to emphasise these concepts, and an additional 15% are based in a workplace environment.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
This module is delivered through a variety of lectures, workshops, practicals and workplace activities. Lectures are designed to introduce students to the key features of each topic and to lay the preparatory ground for the application of knowledge and expanded discussion via workshops, where students will be given the opportunity to work through scenarios and present back their viewpoints. Practical compounding and dispensing sessions will be based in a simulated dispensary. The development of patient counselling skills is an important aspect of this module and this will be reinforced in the workplace, with the workplace mentor providing support and feedback.
Your independent study skills will be developed by researching information on various health topics. You will be guided in seeking information from a variety of sources including the web and other health-related organizations. Workshops will provide support in research and study skills and in the further development of patient counselling skills for health education and promotion. The workshops will include role-play sessions in different settings, followed by feedback from the tutor and peer group. Group discussions will be used to examine selected health campaigns and consider the effectiveness of different approaches and strategies. They will also allow students to share experiences from their workplace activity and suggest various approaches for different situations.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 32 one hour lectures Workshops and tutorials (workshops are 2 hours each) Practical sessions of 2 hours each | 32 32 10 |
| Guided independent study | Directed and student self-directed study | 186 |
| Study abroad / placement | Workplace activity | 40 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment is through an in module assessment, in the form of an in class test, and an oral presentation.
A range of formative assessments undertaken both in-class (workshop and practical) and during independent study, of relatively short duration will be set periodically on content determined by the module leader. An element of the formative assessment process will be calculations mini-tests that will help prepare the prospective MPharm student for the synoptic calculations assessment that must be passed to progress to pharmacy. This will provide regular and detailed feedback to students so that they can develop an awareness of their rate and level of progress and of their strengths and weaknesses.
A formative role playing exercise is used to provide feedback on communication skills, with particular regard to obtaining information from a patient and providing them with relevant and appropriate counselling on how to take their medicines. This feeds forward into the oral presentation that students have summatively assessed. Both of these, the role play and oral presentation also prepare students for the OSCE style assessment required to be passed for transfer to the MPharm. On-going discussion via the personal tutor and module leader will assist the student in the development of strategies for improvement and enhancement.
Level 5 Foundation Degree students are required to pass a synoptic OSCE style assessment and a synoptic calculations test before they can transfer direct to Level 5 MPharm. This is the same requirement as for Level 4 MPharm students. These assessments are to assure that even at this Level the student is demonstrating the appropriate skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes to become a future pharmacist. Learning in this module feeds forward into these synoptic assessments.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to collect, evaluate and assimilate information through verbal and written presentation | In-class formative assessments - In class test Formative role play Feeds forward to synoptic OSCE assessment (MPharm transfer only) |
| 2) carry out extemporaneous compounding of complex pharmaceuticals, and the dispensing of simple commercially-produced preparations (including their labelling) | In-class formative and summative assessments In class test Feeds forward to synoptic OSCE assessment (MPharm transfer only) |
| 3) discuss how pharmacy professionals can contribute to the promotion of good health and prevention of ill-health by choosing, after accessing and critically analysing information for various health promotion topics, strategies for health promotion for different health topics | Oral presentation |
| 4) discuss factors affecting the health and illness from a patient's perspective and those factors that lead a patient to consult a healthcare professional, including consulting a pharmacist or referral to a pharmacy. The influence of social factors and inequalities on health will also be discussed | Oral presentation |
| 5) apply appropriate counselling skills in the workplace to obtain information from the patient and ensure the patient acknowledges and understands the information provided | Formative role play Feeds forward to synoptic OSCE assessment (MPharm transfer only) |
| 6) demonstrate a knowledge of the requirements of specific patient groups (including considerations of ethnicity) and special needs arising from disability together with suitable strategies for dealing with them | Formative role play Oral presentation Feeds forward to synoptic OSCE assessment (MPharm transfer only) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam | In class test (In module assessment) | 60% |
| Practical exam | Oral presentation | 40% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module. All students are subject to Fitness to Practice regulations in addition to the University Students Disciplinary procedures.
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