Overview
This unit will provide you with advanced knowledge of all aspects of clinical pharmacology to allow you to function safely within the current and emerging critical care context. You will acquire advanced theoretical knowledge and develop advanced clinical judgement for competent critical care paramedic pharmacology practice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Co-requisites PMSC20001 Advanced clinical assessment and decision making
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2019
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback via "have your say'
The addition of real life case studies would be of benefit to contextualise learning.
Build in contextualised learning via case studies; consider the use of a discussion forum to engage students in case study discussion.
- Describe the indications, actions, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of medications and fluids administered by critical care paramedics, and how you would evaluate the effects of administration
- Apply theoretical knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with regard to medications and fluids administered by critical care paramedics
- Research and justify the most effective pharmacological treatment options in the critical care paramedic context
- Communicate effectively knowledge of clinical pharmacology, toxicology and toxinology within therapeutic relationships
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||
| 3 - Online Test - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| 1 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||
| 2 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||||||
| 3 - Online Test - 30% | ||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
There is not a required textbook for this unit. However, that does not mean you cannot purchase a text or should not use one. The key point for a textbook in this unit is that it will be a learning tool for yourself. For example, if you need to review pathophysiology or pharmacokinetics then you need to find a text that helps augment your learning in these areas (such as a generic medicine pharmacology text - see examples below). If you would like more detailed notes on classes of medications and to understand more clinical details, choose a text that focuses on applied concepts (such as RAPID Clinical Pharmacology by Batchelder et al or a reference guide). Otherwise, you may be able to get away with a previous textbook you already own. Some recommended texts/apps: Australian Medicines Handbook 2018; Bullock, S & Manias, E. 2014, Fundamentals of Pharmacology (8th Edition), Pearson, Australia; Bryant, BJ. Knights, KM. Darroch, S & Rowland, A. 2019, Pharmacology for Health Professionals (5th edition), Elsevier, Australia; Rang, HP, Ritter, JM, Flower, RJ & Henderson, G 2016, Rang & Dale's Pharmacology (8th Edition), Elsevier, Australia; Caffey, M. (2012), Paramedic & Emergency Pharmacology Guidelines, Pearson, Australia; Caffey, M. & Appiwork Pty Ltd. (2015), Emergency Pharmacology Guidelines (Version 1.3) [Mobile application software] - available on iTunes or Google Play.
Copies of the recommended texts above are available from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Access to audio files & videos as they appear on the unit Moodle page
- Access to UpToDate through unit Moodle page
- Access to Zoom (session log-in details will be provided)
- Access to eMIMs and AMH through the university library Paramedic Science Resource Guide
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.shearer@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Analgesia, anaesthetics, sedation & seizure management
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Pharmacology for behavioural emergencies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cardiovascular pharmacology 1
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Cardiovascular pharmacology 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Drugs affecting clotting
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Blood products, fluids & tranexamic acid
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Respiratory pharmacology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Metabolic & endocrine pharmacology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Pharmacology for infectious diseases & sepsis
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Obstetric pharmacology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Toxicology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
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Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Presentation and Written Assessment
Preamble
Pharmacology is forever evolving which results in ambulance services consistently reviewing their drug therapy protocols to ensure that patient care is contemporary and evidence-based.
Task Description
You are to review an existing clinical practice guideline from your ambulance service and critically explore and evaluate the pharmacology involved to ensure it meets current evidence-based guidelines.
This assessment involves two parts.
Part one will require you to write an essay including an in-depth review of the literature on the pharmacology involved in the guideline you have selected. You will be required to support your review with recent research articles in relation to the pharmacology involved. It is preferred that the literature review is in narrative form (that is, explain the research in your own words). The word limit guide for Part one is between 2,500 and 3,000 words.
Your essay should include:
Introduction
Review of research & discussion
- Contemporary condition management
- Does your current guideline meet contemporary evidence?
- Detailed information of the pharmacology of the drug/s involved/proposed
- Discuss the implications of making any changes to your selected clinical practice guideline or by introducing new pharmacology into paramedic practice.
Conclusion - what are your recommendations?
Reference List
Part two will require you to use the information collected in Part one to develop a new teaching tool encompassing any new guideline and/or drug therapy information. It may either be a scientific poster or maximum four A4-page handout that could be used at your next clinical update day.
There is no specific word limit here, as you will be using the information gained in Part one. Remember to summarise your information for presentation.
Week 5 Friday (12 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Friday (3 May 2019)
Returned to students within 2 week turnaround
Part one - The paper will be assessed on:
Presentation and layout: information presented in a clear & logical sequence; content clearly articulated; literacy style; appropriate word count
Questions: selected condition and pharmacology meets criteria; most current literature used; introduction; review & discussion of research; detailed pharmacological insight; implications for practice; recommendations
Referencing: use of Harvard referencing including reference list; all sources referenced appropriately
Part Two – The teaching tool will be assessed on:
Required content: looking at the main points covered & content
Presentation: looking at visual engagement; use of visual elements; graphics & overall presentation
Mechanics: looking at grammar & spelling & referencing
This assessment is worth 40% of your overall unit mark. The assessment rubric used in the marking of this assessment task can be found on the unit’s Moodle page.
- Describe the indications, actions, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of medications and fluids administered by critical care paramedics, and how you would evaluate the effects of administration
- Research and justify the most effective pharmacological treatment options in the critical care paramedic context
- Communicate effectively knowledge of clinical pharmacology, toxicology and toxinology within therapeutic relationships
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
2 Portfolio
You will need to complete a clinical portfolio of a minimum of three (3) patients you have assessed and treated during your recent work as a paramedic. The format of your portfolio can be self-determined, however it must include:
- a review of patient presentation, including chief complaint, history and physical examination. The history should include a review of the patient's own medications, including detail on each medication's indication, potential side-effects and interactions, and how these medications may impact upon the patients' current condition and chief complaint
- a summary of your non-pharmacological treatment of the patient
- a detailed assessment of the real and potential pharmacological treatment of this patient, including:
- core paramedic drugs used & why
- potential critical care medications to be used with a focus on:
- relating the drug/s mechanism of action to the patient's condition & associated pathophysiology (that is, why the drug/s is/are indicated)
- situations where the drug/s would be contraindicated
- potential side effects & explanation of why they occur
- potential interactions with the patient's current medications
You will need to demonstrate an ability to understand the foundations of critical care pharmacology using clinical decision making and applying the theoretical principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics & reviewing concepts such as side-effects & interactions. In addition, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of complex medications and their interactions with the delivery of pharmacology in the critical care context. As such, selection of cases offering you the ability to demonstrate this knowledge is paramount.
Week 10 Friday (24 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019)
Returned to students within 2 week turnaround
There is a 1,250 word limit for each case and it is therefore expected that each case presentation will be concise. The portfolio will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit's Moodle page.
Criteria include:
Overall presentation
o organisation of presentation/layout
o writing mechanics
o formatting
o referencing
o thoroughness of history
o thoroughness of physical examination
o treatment administered
o discussion of current pharmacology
o recommendations regarding real or potential pharmacological treatment
This portfolio is worth 30% of your overall unit mark.
- Describe the indications, actions, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of medications and fluids administered by critical care paramedics, and how you would evaluate the effects of administration
- Apply theoretical knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with regard to medications and fluids administered by critical care paramedics
- Research and justify the most effective pharmacological treatment options in the critical care paramedic context
- Communicate effectively knowledge of clinical pharmacology, toxicology and toxinology within therapeutic relationships
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Self-management
3 Online Test
You will be required to complete this online quiz by the end of Week 12, this quiz will become available in Week 11 and will have a specific time limit imposed to complete the quiz.
The quiz will be made up of multiple choice questions exploring content explored in the unit (including lecture materials, online modules, links & required readings). The quiz will assess your ability to identify & apply the foundations of critical care paramedic pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action, indications, interactions, contraindications & side effects. In addition, some questions in the quiz will explore your ability to demonstrate clinical decision-making for the use of pharmacology in the critical care context. This is an individual assessment with no collaboration allowed.
Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
The quiz will open 0800hrs on Monday of Week 11 and closes at 2345hrs AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on Friday of Week 12.
Exam Week Friday (21 June 2019)
The quiz will be marked and returned to students after every student has completed the test, within 2 weeks of close of the quiz.
You will be required to answer each question to receive the full marks allocated to that question. Non-attempts will score a zero mark. This quiz is worth 30% of your overall unit mark. This assessment task must be completed by 2345hrs on the Friday of Week 12. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five percent per day.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with regard to medications and fluids administered by critical care paramedics
- Knowledge
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
