VERB1400 Pharmacology and Medicine Administration Course description

This course deals with basic pharmacology. Medication handling, administration and calculation are important duties for social educators. Medication handling and patient safety are taught in accordance with applicable legislation and guidelines. The importance of being accurate when dealing with medicines is also covered. The effects and side effects of medicines as well as drug interactions are key aspects of the course.    

The course is taught over 5 weeks.

The students learn to identify different symptoms of illness and injury. They will carry out relevant examinations and measurements, as well as practical procedures and first aid at the skills training facilities at the university. The course is taught over ten weeks in which mental health care, psychopathology, and substance-related addiction disorders employ three weeks as a separate block.

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain different forms of medication, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• can explain drug interactions and side effects of medication
• can describe different reasons for variations in response to medication
• can explain medicine administration in accordance with procedures
• can explain relevant laws and regulations within medication handling
• can explain the risk of addiction and drug abuse
• has knowledge of generic substitution

Skills

The student

• can demonstrate medicine administration in accordance with the applicable procedure and regulation, including single and double checking
• can perform calculations of dose, concentration (strength), volume (amount), infusion/injection rate and dilution
• can use the Norwegian Pharmaceutical Product Compendium (Felleskatalogen) and The Norwegian Drug? Medicines Manual for Health Personnel (Legemiddelhåndboka)

General competence

The student

• can document the effects and side effects of medication and use reporting procedures for non-conformities and side effects
• can plan, carry out and document drug medicine administration in accordance with applicable regulations

The student must have been admitted to the programme.

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe mental health in a lifespan perspective and diagnostic systems for mental disorders
• can describe comorbidity, both somatic and mental, in persons with impairments
• can explain recognised treatment methods for the most common mental disorders and substance-related and addictive disorders
• can explain how mental and substance-related and addictive disorders may affect an individual's everyday life
• can describe preventive measures and treatment of mental and substance-related and addictive disorders
• can explain relevant legislation related to treatment of mental health and addiction
• can explain symptoms of illness and the importance well-being in a lifespan perspective
• can explain forms of treatment for somatic illness
• can describe evidence-based measures to prevent illness and health-promoting behaviours
• can outline relevant courses of treatment
• can describe physical and cognitive changes and consequences thereof related to old age
• can describe symptoms of neurological problems and the effect of illness on a person's health

Skills 

The student

• can demonstrate health care procedures in accordance with the VAR-Healthcare (procedure and knowledge database for the health service)
• can administer lifesaving first aid
• can map indications of impaired mental health
• can demonstrate the key principles of and aids used in safe patient transfer techniques

General competence

The student

• can identify connections between health and illness, including disability and impairment
• can identify deviation and signs of illness and help to ensure that patients’ health challenges are addressed
• can present relevant research on somatic and mental health

The teaching and learning methods include lectures, group work, written group assignments, demonstrations, skills training and self-study. The course is divided into two parts. The focus is on mental health during the first three weeks, followed by somatic pathology and practical skills training at the skills training facilities.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• group work in groups of six students with submission of a written assignment of up to 2,000 words on given issues related to mental health. An attendance requirement of 100% applies.
• two multiple-choice tests on pathology and treatment with a minimum requirement of 80% correct answers per test
• 100% attendance in demonstrations and skills training at the university’s skills training facilities
• 100% attendance at first aid course at the skills training facilities
• one practical test relating to performance of procedures at the skills training facilities

Individual written examination with invigilation on somatic illness and treatment, 4 hours

None

Grade scale A-F