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Unit of study_

PHAR5722: Endocrine, Renal and Cardiovascular

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will cover the therapeutics of endocrine, renal and cardiovascular disorders including the pharmaceutical sciences that underpin such drug therapies. This unit will also include the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical features of endocrine, renal and cardiovascular disorders. Through the use of case-based learning, students will participate in the interpretation, application and dissemination of pharmaceutical and pharmacotherapeutic concepts and knowledge. On completion of this unit of study students will be able to apply an understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences to optimising the drug and non-drug therapy of patients with endocrine, renal and cardiovascular disorders. Interprofessional communication and the application of specialist knowledge to implementing pharmacist cognitive services such as clinical interventions and/or medication management review will also be explored. Students will become familiar with drug information software and a number of computerised drug information databases. Role-plays will be used to develop students' communication skills for interaction between pharmacists and their clients (patients, doctors, other health professionals).

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR5722
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
(PHAR5711 or PHAR5911) and PHAR5712 and PHAR5713 and PHAR5714 and PHAR5715 and PHAR5716 and PHAR5717 and PHAR5718
Corequisites
? 
PHAR5721 and PHAR5723 and PHAR5920
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Betty Chaar, betty.chaar@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam hurdle task Exam
MCQ, short answer
60% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Final exam hurdle task OSCE
Oral examination
25% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Small continuous assessment Tutorial assessments
Participation
15% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Tutorial assessments: Pre/post-work and in class tasks in each tutorial must be completed to attain satisfactory participation marks. If a task is failed, the students may be given an opportunity to repeat the task at a time convenient to the coordinator/tutorial facilitator. Furthermore, attendance at all 12 tutorials is compulsory. Assessment includes the generation of a “letter to the doctor” and a full medication review -both submitted online in Canvas on the due date.
  • OSCE: The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has three stations. Each student will be given three topics, with time to prepare for the three topics. Immediately after the preparation time, each student will discuss the topics, and the issues and concerns raised when reviewing the topic, at three closed book stations, with a pseudo-doctor (who is also the examiner), a pseudo-patient (who is also the examiner), and a pharmacy colleague (who is also the examiner).
  • Final examination: The exam will comprise a mixture of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. These questions will include all content covered in lectures, tutorials and tutorial preparation. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Renal and urological disorders Lecture (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Cardiovascular disorders; Cardiovascular risk, Angina, MI, CHF, Stroke, AF Lecture (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Haematology disorders Lecture (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Case studies in CV disorders Tutorial (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Case studies in endocrine disorders Tutorial (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Progressive Clinical Reasoning Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Medication review [analysis of patient profile and writing to the doctor] Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week -02 Case studies in renal and urology disorders Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 01 Medication Review Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 05 Herbal medicines Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO8
Herbal and Complementary Medicines used in Pharmacy Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Case studies in haematological disorders Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Endocrinology: Thyroid Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Case studies in thyroid disorders Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 10 Endocrinology: Diabetes Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Case studies in diabetes Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Endocrinology: Steroids, Hypothalmic and Pituitary hormone disorders Lecture (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Endocrinology: Obstetrics and Gynecology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Osteoporosis Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: There will be 12 tutorials in total. Attendance at all 12 tutorials is compulsory. In accordance with the School Policy on attendance, students must attend a minimum of 85% tutorials (10 of 12 tutorials) to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study. If a tutorials is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration form along with supporting documentation. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorials will be marked as absent. Students swapping a tutorial without prior approval from the unit of study coordinator, will be marked as absent.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. critically examine scientific evidence, in order to evaluate safety, quality, efficacy and cost effectiveness of prescriptions, complementary medicines and other orders to arrive at evidence-based conclusions relevant to patient care.
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the body as a complex adaptive biological system and outline physiology and patho-physiology associated with disease states of the endocrine, renal and cardiovascular systems.
  • LO3. demonstrate a working understanding of fundamental concepts and techniques of the sciences underpinning drug delivery, drug action and therapeutics.
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms of action and the properties drugs display as biologically active molecules in the treatment of endocrine, renal and cardiovascular disorders.
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of pharmaceutical and physical factors impacting on therapeutic efficacy.
  • LO6. apply an understanding of basic and applied sciences to the management and solution of pharmaceutical and/or clinical problems including the metabolism and enzymatic degradation (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics) of drugs in the human body.
  • LO7. communicate effectively with patients, families, carers and other health care professionals; providing appropriate advice and counselling about prescribed or over-the-counter medicines for endocrine, renal and/or cardiovascular disorders.
  • LO8. apply a systematic clinical reasoning process to address a range of health and drug-related problems that present in pharmacy in order to provide appropriate pharmacy cognitive services in the areas of endocrine, renal and cardiovascular disorders.
  • LO9. apply appropriate clinical reasoning skills to generate a medication review, including communication with the physician, according to principles of practice and adequate patient care.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have adopted student feedback on several levels and the unit of study now has fewer assessment tasks and is better aligned with other units of study in terms of timing of assessments.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.