Outline

Overview

This unit of study will focus on developing students' understanding of public health and the health care system, including the role of pharmacy, health policy and regulation affecting health in Australia and internationally. Students will develop skills in identifying, accessing and interpreting relevant policy, regulation and literature. Topics which underpin understanding of public health including epidemiology/pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics will also be addressed. Through workshops and assignments, students will be given the opportunity to integrate their learning and apply this knowledge to address population health care problems with a special emphasis on achieving the quality, safety and judicious use of medicines in health care.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PHAR5725
Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	(PHAR5711 or PHAR5911) and PHAR5712 and PHAR5713 and PHAR5714 and PHAR5715 and PHAR5716 and PHAR5717
Corequisites ?	(PHAR5727 or PHAR5927) and (PHAR5728 or PHAR5928)
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Bandana Saini, bandana.saini@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Barbara Mintzes, barbara.mintzes@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Bandana Saini, bandana.saini@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Annim Mohammad, annim.mohammad@sydney.edu.au
	Alex Clough, alexander.clough@sydney.edu.au
	Joy Dai-Keller, zhaoli.dai-keller@sydney.edu.au
	Kellia Chiu, kellia.chiu@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam MCQs only.	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 01 Dec 2020 at 09:00 Closing date: 01 Dec 2020	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Workshop Pre-work and Participation Participation	10%	Multiple weeks	12 hours before and during Workshops
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Project - Part A Pitch Presentation (5mins Presentation + 5 mins Q&A) and Briefing Paper	10%	Week 07 Due date: 14 Oct 2020 at 09:00 Closing date: 14 Oct 2020	10 Minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group Project - Part B Final Project Presentation	10%	Week 10 Due date: 04 Nov 2020 at 09:00 Closing date: 04 Nov 2020	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group Project - Part C Final Report	20%	Week 12 Due date: 20 Nov 2020 at 16:00 Closing date: 20 Nov 2020	10 pages
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Workshop prework and participation: Students are expected to actively participate in workshop activities, to complete pre-work before each workshop, and to have done the relevant readings and either attended or listened to linked lectures. Some workshops include brief in-class quizzes on linked lectures and readings. These quizzes are not marked but added to allow self-evaluation.
Group Project Part – A: presentation and proposal: The aim of the first presentation and the accompanying one-page briefing paper is to ‘pitch’ the project to the class. The aim of the task is to convince the class of the need for the intervention and the value of the approach that the group is planning to use. The class will respond with questions and discussion.
Group Project Part – B: presentation: Students will be required to plan a public health intervention or a detailed proposal for a policy shift, based on the identified aims and objectives, prior research evidence on effectiveness of interventions for the problem the group is addressing, and feedback obtained on the first briefing paper. Each group will give a presentation to the class to describe your intervention or policy shift.
Group Project Part – C: final report: The final project report provides an overview of the team project in written format.
Final exam: The final exam will consist of 50 multiple choice questions. Questions are framed around the course learning objectives, and will focus on the main content in lectures and workshops. The Replacement Exam for this UoS will be in the formal Replacement Exam Period (11/01/2021 to 14/01/2021).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

GROUP WORK ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Peer Assessment: a relative performance factor will be applied to moderate groupwork marks. Students will take part in a formative peer assesment in Week 7 and a summative peer assessment in Week 12. Peer Assessment will be completed online using SparkPlus to obtain a factor 0-1, and will be according to an agreed set of criteria established by groups in Session 1.

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	When you demonstrate an outstanding achievement of the Units’ Learning Outcomes
Distinction	75 - 84	When you demsontrate a very good achievement of the Units’s Learning Outcomes
Credit	65 - 74	When you demsontrate a good achievement of the Units’s Learning Outcomes
Pass	50 - 64	When you demsontrate that you have satisfactorily achieved the Units’s Learning Outcomes
Fail	0 - 49	When you do not meet the Unit’s learning outcomes 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties: Non submission of peer assessment will result in a factor of zero (0) being applied to the non-submitter’s groupwork mark

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	L1. Introduction L2. Health Promotion L3. Program Evaluation L4. Pharmacist Roles	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 01	WORKSHOP 1 - Health Promotion in Action	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	L5. Public Health History L6. Health Measures L7. Public Health Case - Obesity L8. Revision and Summary	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 02	WORKSHOP 2 - Public Health and Pharmacist Roles	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	L9. Literature Search L10. Appraising Literature L11. Health Policy L12. Health Systems	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 04	L13. Public Health Case - Indigenous Health L14. Public Health Case - Mental Health L15. Pharmacist Role in Mental Health L16. Revision and Summary	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 04	WORKSHOP 3 - Developing a Project Brief	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	L17. Pharmacoepidemiology1 L18. Pharmacoepidemiology2 L19. Evaluating Screening Program L20. Pharmacy and Screening Services	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 06	L21. Pharmaceutical Regulation L22. Medication Safety L23.Public Health Case - Tobacco and Drugs and Alcohol L24. Revision and Summary	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 06	WORKSHOP 4 -Pharmacoepidemiology	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	L25. Medication Errors and Pharmacist Role-1 L26. Medication Errors and Pharmacist Role - 2 L27. Health Literacy L28. Health Literacy Case (Pharmaceutical Advertising)	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 07	WORKSHOP 5 - Pitching a group project (In Class Assessment )	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	L29. Health Economics-1 L30 Health Economics-2 L31. PBS L32. Revision and Summary	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 08	WORKSHOP 6 - Evaluating Health Services and Product Advertising	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	L33. Pharmacist Public Health Role- QUM L34. Essential Medicines Policies L35. Public Health -HCP roles - Overdiagnosis L36. Pharmacists Public Health Role - Antimicrobial Resistance	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 09	WORKSHOP 7 - Pharmacoeconomics	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	L37. Ethics in Public Health -1 L38. Ethics in Public Health -2 L39. Corporate Issues in Public Health L40. Revision and Summary	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 10	WORKSHOP 8 - Final Group Project Presentations (In Class Assessment)	Workshop (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: In accordance with the School Policy on Attendance, students must attend a minimum of 85% of Compulsory Learning Activities. In this Unit of Study, Workshops are compulsory to attend and 85% attendance translates to a requirement of attending at least 7 of 8 Workshops.

If a Workshop is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application form along with supporting documentation. If this application is approved, your workshop tutor/UoS Coordinator will set an alternate task for you to complete. If you miss one Workshop and do not have a Special Consideration application, you will be marked absent. Please note that merely having an approved Special Consideration application does not automatically mean you are marked as present – you will need to complete the alternative task your coordinator/tutor sets for you to demonstrate you have picked up the learning you missed by being absent at a particular Workshop.

Any further missed Workshops will mean a grade of Fail, as missing more than one Workshop means you do not meet the Attendance Requirements for the Unit of Study. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the Workshop will also be marked as absent (unless prior permission to arrive late for a particular Workshop has been sought). Students swapping a Workshop group without prior approval from the UoS co-ordinator will also 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

Readings for each Workshop will be provided to you via Modules created for each Workshop in your Canvas page.

Learning outcomes

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. demonstrate an understanding of public health practice
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of pharmaceutical policies in Australia and internationally
LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the public health role of pharmacists
LO4. develop the skills to maximise patient safety through quality use of medicines
LO5. develop an understanding of basic principles in pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics
LO6. demonstrate skills in the design of public health and health promotion projects
LO7. be able to apply ethical principles in planning pharmacy public health services

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.1. promoting both the best interests and safety of patients and the public 1.3. recognising the presence and causes of health inequities and disparities, including the impact of social determinants of health 1.5. practising ethically and with integrity by 2.3.c. demonstrating appropriate teamwork behaviours 3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by 3.1.b. using a systematic approach to access, critically evaluate and apply relevant evidence 3.4. carrying out systematic medication reviews, informed by the Quality Use of Medicines Framework, in order to identify and resolve potential medication-related issues and optimise the impact of medications on health outcomes in collaboration with patients, carers and other members of the health care team 4.10. demonstrating awareness of, and complying with appropriate policies, processes and protocols 4.8. demonstrating awareness of the importance of, and strategies for, promoting responsible and socially accountable stewardship of health care resources
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.1. promoting both the best interests and safety of patients and the public 1.4.a. demonstrating contemporary knowledge and application of legal requirements relating to community and hospital pharmacy practice within their jurisdiction
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.1. promoting both the best interests and safety of patients and the public 1.2. promoting and advocating for cultural safety, respect and responsiveness, particularly in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori peoples 1.3. recognising the presence and causes of health inequities and disparities, including the impact of social determinants of health 2.1.c. demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori history, communication styles and community protocols 2.2. documenting, communicating and recording relevant information, findings, decisions, recommendations and other information accurately and concisely, taking due account of privacy and confidentiality 2.3.c. demonstrating appropriate teamwork behaviours 3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by 3.1.b. using a systematic approach to access, critically evaluate and apply relevant evidence 3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence 4.4. demonstrating awareness of the signs which indicate that a potential risk to public safety may exist if observed in another practitioner, and formulating appropriate responses including support, advice, assistance, referral or reporting where necessary 4.8. demonstrating awareness of the importance of, and strategies for, promoting responsible and socially accountable stewardship of health care resources
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.1. promoting both the best interests and safety of patients and the public 1.5.b. considering alternative strategies and choosing an appropriate course of action in response to ethical issues and dilemmas 2.3.c. demonstrating appropriate teamwork behaviours 3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by 3.1.b. using a systematic approach to access, critically evaluate and apply relevant evidence 3.1.d. making decisions which are tailored to the person’s individual circumstances, and reflect a balanced consideration of both the potential benefits and potential harms 3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence 3.21. demonstrating the delivery of harm minimisation approaches and strategies to reduce harm to patients and the community from misuse of legal and illegal drugs 3.9. recommending appropriate monitoring of the outcomes of health, medical and medication management plans and recommending adjustments to them where appropriate in collaboration with patients, carers and other health team members
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.3. recognising the presence and causes of health inequities and disparities, including the impact of social determinants of health 3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by 3.1.b. using a systematic approach to access, critically evaluate and apply relevant evidence 3.1.c. applying effective critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving strategies to conceptualise problems, formulate a range of potential solutions, and support decision-making 3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence 3.4. carrying out systematic medication reviews, informed by the Quality Use of Medicines Framework, in order to identify and resolve potential medication-related issues and optimise the impact of medications on health outcomes in collaboration with patients, carers and other members of the health care team 3.9. recommending appropriate monitoring of the outcomes of health, medical and medication management plans and recommending adjustments to them where appropriate in collaboration with patients, carers and other health team members 5.4. demonstrating skills in research and inquiry, including 5.4.b. identifying and critically appraising relevant source materials 5.4.f. identifying ways in which the outcomes can be applied to practice
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.1. promoting both the best interests and safety of patients and the public 1.2. promoting and advocating for cultural safety, respect and responsiveness, particularly in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori peoples 2.1.c. demonstrating awareness of and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or Māori history, communication styles and community protocols 2.2. documenting, communicating and recording relevant information, findings, decisions, recommendations and other information accurately and concisely, taking due account of privacy and confidentiality 2.3. contributing to the interprofessional collaborative health care team in order to optimise patient outcomes by 2.3.a. demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the roles of pharmacists and other members of the interprofessional collaborative care team 2.3.c. demonstrating appropriate teamwork behaviours 3.1. formulating appropriate and effective actions and recommendations which support safe, rational and cost-effective use of medicines and other healthcare options and optimise socially accountable person-centred care by 3.1.b. using a systematic approach to access, critically evaluate and apply relevant evidence 3.1.c. applying effective critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving strategies to conceptualise problems, formulate a range of potential solutions, and support decision-making 3.10. facilitating patient self-management of health through education, intervention, monitoring and health promotion services in order to optimise patient health outcomes and wellbeing, and reduce the risk of complications 3.11. responding to the needs of individuals and communities by advocating with and for them to optimise health and societal outcomes 3.2. making and prioritising recommendations to manage health, medical and medication needs of patients, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies, based on the Quality Use of Medicines Framework and the best available evidence 3.20. providing evidence-based screening, assessment, prevention and referral services to detect and manage potential risk of adverse medical conditions and outcomes 3.21. demonstrating the delivery of harm minimisation approaches and strategies to reduce harm to patients and the community from misuse of legal and illegal drugs 3.22. endorsing and participating in health promotion activities, health services and public health initiatives intended to maintain and improve health 3.5.d. ensuring that the best interests of patients, carers and other persons are foremost in the provision of care 3.9. recommending appropriate monitoring of the outcomes of health, medical and medication management plans and recommending adjustments to them where appropriate in collaboration with patients, carers and other health team members 5.4. demonstrating skills in research and inquiry, including
	Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - On successful completion of an approved pharmacy degree program - 1.5.a. identifying potential ethical issues and dilemmas, including conflicts of interest, relating to practice 1.5.b. considering alternative strategies and choosing an appropriate course of action in response to ethical issues and dilemmas 1.9. upholding and maintaining the reputation and value of the profession

Responding to student feedback

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

This year, the UoS has changed in structure from 13 weeks of content to 12 weeks. Given COVID, we will be delivering lectures online. However each fortnight, your two co-coordinators will prepare a summary of all lecture content covered and ensure relevance to pharmacy roles is demonstrated to you. We have streamlined/renewed the workshop content compared to last year so that is more contextualised to pharmacist roles. We have kept 2 weeks of the Unit of Study timetable free for revision activities.

Additional information

Additional costs

There are no additional costs related to this Unit of Study.

Site visit guidelines

Not Applicable

Work, health and safety

There are no additional WHS requirements for this Unit of Study

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHAR5725: Public Health and Pharmaceutical Policy

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect