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Unit of study_

PHAR7122: Mental Health

Semester 2, 2022 [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, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders amongst other conditions. This unit of study will focus particularly on medication management issues in people with these conditions and the pharmacist's role in managing these people. 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
Lecturer(s) Timothy Chen, timothy.chen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Webinar case studies - depression
Written responses to case studies - depressive disorder pharmacotherapy
10% Mid-semester break
Due date: 02 Oct 2022 at 22:00
Six short & two long cases / two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3
Assignment Essay on The Mental Health System & the Role of the Pharmacist
Essay - written assessment on mental health care system in Australia
15% Week 02
Due date: 14 Aug 2022 at 22:00
1000 words +/- 100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Webinar case studies - schizophrenia
Written responses to case studies - psychosis pharmacotherapy
10% Week 04
Due date: 28 Aug 2022 at 22:00
Four case studies / two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment hurdle task Webinar case studies - bipolar disorder
Written responses to case studies - Bipolar disorder pharmacotherapy
10% Week 06
Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 22:00
Four case studies / two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8
Assignment Case Study - Clozapine induced myocarditis
Written responses to specific questions - management of clozapine ADRs
20% Week 08
Due date: 25 Sep 2022 at 22:00
One complex case study / two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Webinar case studies - anxiety disorders
Written responses to case studies - anxiety disorders pharmacotherapy
10% Week 10
Due date: 16 Oct 2022 at 22:00
Five case studies / two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Case Study - Bipolar disorder
Written responses to specific questions - bipolar disorder management
20% Week 12
Due date: 30 Oct 2022 at 22:00
One complex case study / two weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Webinar - participation in case discussions
Participation mark - continuous over semester
5% Week 13
Due date: 06 Nov 2022 at 22:00
Five webinars / 2.5 hours each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

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

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.

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:

10% deducted for each day elapsed after the due date for essay assignment, case study assignments, webinar case study modules

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
Ongoing Self-directed independent study Independent study (40 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Introduction and mental health care system Tutorial (14 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Schizophrenia Tutorial (14 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Bipolar disorder Tutorial (14 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Depression Tutorial (14 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Anxiety disorders Tutorial (14 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 ADHD Tutorial (14 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are required to attend at least 85% of webinars (i.e. at least 4 out of 5), even when they have approved Special Consideration for absence.

If you are unable to attend a webinar, you must contact the unit of study coordinator as soon as possible prior to or after the webinar. 

Students should be punctual and notify the unit of study coordinator if they will attend more than 15 minutes after the commencement of the webinar.

For more information see:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/medicine_health_PG/coursework_pz/pharmacy_practice.shtml

 

 

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 Reading List, available on Canvas.

  • eTG Psychotropic  Guidelines (available from library – subject guides – medicine and health sciences – pharmacy)
  • Taylor, D et al The Maudsley prescribing guidelines in psychiatry (current edtn) 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. 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.