FARB3100 Social Pharmacy, Epidemiology and Statistics Course description

This course covers the role of pharmaceuticals in the prevention and treatment of illness from an individual and societal perspective. Emphasis is placed on subjects in the field of social pharmacy and medicine epidemiology. The course focuses on users of pharmaceuticals in different phases of life and with different illnesses, particularly on individually adapted follow-up and information on correct use of pharmaceuticals. The general subject matter is examined from a societal perspective in relation to medication and medicalisation of different life situations and groups of illnesses. Statistical concepts, epidemiology and critical assessment of articles are also covered in the course.

The student must have passed all the courses from the first year of study and may lack a maximum of one passed course from the second year.

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

Knowledge 

The student 

• can give an account of the role of pharmaceuticals in the prevention and treatment of illness from an individual and societal perspective
• can describe pharmaceutical services  
• is familiar with the routines and procedures for medication reviews and discussions
• can give an account of the information needs of pharmaceutical users in different life situations and with different illnesses
• can explain key concepts in the field of epidemiological methodology
• can explain ethical dilemmas relevant to epidemiological research
• can explain key statistical concepts in medical statistics
• is familiar with clinical testing of pharmaceuticals and the pertaining collection of and requirements relating to documentation
• is familiar with the concept of health competence and how variations in health competence influence different patients’ and user groups’ coping with disease, mastery and self-care
• is familiar with the import, economics and pricing of pharmaceuticals
• is familiar with the research processes involved in pre-clinical and clinical studies, the requirements for approval of pharmaceuticals and plant-based products and how pharmaceuticals are marketed

Skills 

The student 

• can carry out source searches and provide information to pharmaceutical users in different life situations and with different illnesses, and with varying information needs
• can apply epidemiological concepts
• can apply digital tools in statistical calculations and graphical presentations of prescription statistics and other figures that concern the use of pharmaceuticals
• can use evidence-based subject matter and innovation in project work, communicate this and contribute to professional discussions

General competence  

The student 

• shows an understanding of issues relating to pharmaceuticals from an individual and social perspective 
• can reflect on the correct use of pharmaceuticals in special groups of patients
• can reflect on the quality and validity of information provided by different sources
• can contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship as approaches to healthcare

The work and teaching methods comprise lectures, group work, project work, seminars, practical student exercises, digital teaching and work on assignments.

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

• Minimum attendance of 80% in compulsory scheduled and supervised group work
• Digital storytelling in groups of up to four students
• Project assignment in groups of 4-6 students with a pitch on innovation and entrepreneurship.

Individual oral exam, up to 30 minutes, with up to an hour's preparation

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Grade scale A-F

All exams are assessed by two examiners. At least 30% of the exam papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all the students. 

• 10 credits overlap with the course FARMA3100 Social Pharmacy and Epidemiology