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Unit of study_

PHAR7122: Mental Health

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will cover the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the following common mental health problems: anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders amongst other conditions. This unit of study will focus particularly on medication management issues in consumers with these conditions and the pharmacist's role in managing these consumers. It will also focus on the role of the pharmacist within the broader mental health care system in Australia.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHAR7122
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Timothy Chen, timothy.chen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Webinar case studies - schizophrenia
Written responses to case studies
10% Week -04
Due date: 28 Aug 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 30 Aug 2020
Case studies written response
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3
Assignment Essay on The Mental Health System & the Role of the Pharmacist
Essay - written assessment
15% Week 02
Due date: 14 Aug 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 16 Aug 2020
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Webinar case studies - bipolar disorder
Written responses to case studies
10% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 13 Sep 2020
Case studies written responses
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Case Study - Clozapine induced myocarditis
Written responses to specific questions
20% Week 08
Due date: 25 Sep 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 26 Jul 2020
Case study written responses
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3
Assignment Webinar case studies - depression
Written responses to case studies
10% Week 09
Due date: 02 Oct 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 04 Oct 2020
Case studies written responses
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Webinar case studies - anxiety disorders
Written responses to case studies
10% Week 10
Due date: 16 Oct 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 18 Oct 2020
Case studies written responses
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Webinar - participation in case discussions
Participation mark - continuous over semester
5% Week 11
Due date: 21 Oct 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 21 Oct 2020
Case discussion participation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Case Study - Bipolar disorder
Written responses to specific questions
20% Week 12
Due date: 30 Oct 2020 at 22:00

Closing date: 01 Nov 2020
Case study written responses
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3

Assessment summary

  • Webinar participation: A participation mark for active participation in webinars over the course of the semester. 
  • Webinar case studies (Four modules): Upload written responses to specific case study questions which will be marked
  • Case Study Assignments (Two assignments): Upload written responses to specific case study questions which will be marked
  • Essay Assignment: Upload essay which will be marked

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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
Week -03 Schizophrenia Tutorial (14 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Bipolar disorder Tutorial (14 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Depression Tutorial (14 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Anxiety disorders Tutorial (14 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 ADHD Independent study (14 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Computer access: Email and internet access is essential. Students are required to access online learning materials and participate in activities on Canvas. Word processing software is required to complete some activities.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • eTG Psychotropic  Guidelines (available from library – subject guides – medicine and health sciences – pharmacy)
  • Taylor, D, Paton, C, Kapur, S 2015, Maudsley prescribing guidelines, 13th edn Wiley-Blackwell (e-copy available from library)

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. Describe the role of pharmacists in the broader mental health care system in Australia
  • LO2. Explain the properties of psychotropic medicines (pharmacokinetic data, mechanism of action, indications for use, precautions and contraindications, drug-drug interactions etc) used in the management of specific mental health conditions
  • LO3. List key consumer counselling points in relation to the use of psychotropic medicines for specific mental health conditions
  • LO4. Understand the basic pathophysiology for and major neurotransmitters involved in specific mental health conditions
  • LO5. 5. Critique selected primary literature pertaining to the use of psychotropic medicines for the management of specific mental health conditions
  • LO6. Apply data from specialised mental health resources to advise on patient care
  • LO7. Evaluate the medication regimens for consumers with specific mental health conditions (depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders etc) for the appropriate use of evidence-based pharmacotherapy
  • LO8. Document and justify specific recommendations for the pharmacotherapeutic management of specific mental health conditions based on patient specific parameters

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
1. Domain 1 Professionalism in practice
LO2
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise
LO3
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise
LO4
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise
LO5
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise
LO6
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise
LO7
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise
LO8
Performance Outcomes Framework - Australian Pharmacy Council - At the point of general registration as a pharmacist - APC
3. Domain 3 Professional expertise

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

The due dates for the four webinars and three assignments have now been evenly spaced over the semester; The duration of the webinars has been increased to 120 minutes to allow for detailed discussion.

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.