PMED1300 Pharamacology and Drug Calculations Course description

Pharmacology is the study of drugs, their action and application. The course deals with basic knowledge of pharmacology, which is a precondition for responsible drugs administration. Drug calculations are part of the course. The students take part in the interdisciplinary course INTER1100.

INTER1100 The Same Child - Different Arenas (1.5 credits)

INTER 1100 ‘The Same Child - Different Arenas’ is part of the teaching project Interprofessional Interaction with Children and Youth (INTERACT), which takes place across the programmes of professional study at OsloMet. The goal is to increase the quality of the programmes of professional study that focus on children and young people. Through INTERACT, students acquire research-based knowledge about the everyday lives of children and young people, as well as practice in cooperating with students from other programmes. In this way, INTERACT forms the basis for improved coordination of society’s services directed at children and young people and their parents/guardians. INTER1100 ‘The Same Child - Different Arenas’ makes up the first module of INTERACT.

INTER1100 provides a common academic platform for all students involved. It is about becoming more aware and gain more knowledge about your own and other people’s programmes of professional study that target children and young people's upbringing.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course and INTER1100, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain key pharmacodynamic concepts and pharmacokinetic processes
• has knowledge of different types of drugs and routes of administration
• can explain the effect of pharmaceuticals relating to the treatment of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and neurological disease
• can explain the importance of pharmaceuticals used against pain and nausea
• has knowledge of pharmaceuticals used against diseases of the digestive system, endocrine organs and musculoskeletal system
• can explain the pharmacological effects and probable side effects of relevant groups of pharmaceuticals
• can explain key terms in medication dosage calculations
• can explain the process of growing up in a society characterised by social and cultural diversity*

Skills

The student

• is capable of independently performing faultless medication calculations, and can evaluate and verify one's own and others' computations as part of professionally responsible medication management
• can employ a safe approach in preparation and administration of medications
• can cooperate with students from other programmes of professional study about relevant challenges in the everyday lives of children and young people*
• can discuss and reflect on his/her their own future professional role in an interprofessional cooperation with children, young people and their parents/guardians*

General competence

The student

• has a basis for familiarising him/herself with the effects of new pharmaceuticals
• has an understanding of interprofessional cooperation with children, young people and their families*

* Learning outcomes pertaining to INTER1100

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures, study groups and self-study. There will also be skills training in drug calculations and in preparation and administration of medication (including placement of peripheral intravenous catheters and establishing infusion therapy).

INTER1100

INTER1100 The Same Child - Different Arenas includes two seminar days, digital learning resources and conversation and observation assignments related to interprofessional group work. The students will converse, reflect on and discuss selected cases in groups across the different programmes.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Minimum attendance of 90% in simulation and skills training
• Minimum attendance of 80% in study groups

Required coursework relating to INTER1100:

• Submitted individual log. Scope: 500 words (+/- 10%). In order to write the log, the student must first attend a seminar over two days

Combined assessment:

Part 1 Pharmacology: Individual oral exam, up to 20 minutes.

Part 2 Drug Calculations: Supervised individual written exam, 3 hours.

Part 1 and Part 2 can be taken independently of each other. The student must have obtained a pass grade on both parts in order to pass the course as a whole and earn the credits. The Drug Calculations exam (part 2) must be entirely without error in order for the student to pass the exam and complete the course.

Part 1 Pharmacology: No aids permitted

Part 2 Drug Calculations: Calculator

Part 1 Pharmacology: Grade scale A-F

Part 2 Drug Calculations: Pass/fail

Part 1 Pharmacology: All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

Part 2 Drug Calculations: All answers are assessed by one examiner. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

7.5 credits overlap with the course PARA1410 Pharmacology and Drugs Administration

1 credit overlaps with the course PARA1500 Drug Calculations