Unit Outline

The unit will provide you with advanced knowledge in the pharmacological management of diseases within the context of advanced paramedic practice. This will also include the areas of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as they apply to the therapeutic management of conditions relevant to advanced paramedic practice. You will develop a sound understanding of the quality use of medicines, and some familiarity with Poisons and Therapeutics Goods Act and Regulations, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and medication management for advanced paramedic practitioners.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics to describe both the therapeutic and adverse effects of commonly used drugs.
2.	Explain the rationale behind the use of frequently used drugs in commonly occurring disease states and/or acute emergency scenarios.
3.	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of quality use of medicines and safe medication management.
4.	Apply the principles of clinical pharmacology, therapeutics and medication management to interpret patient cases and evaluate: the therapeutic decision-making process; actual and/or potential drug-related problems; the actual and/or potential impact on patient care.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been required. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online quizzes	Week 3	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Assignment 1	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Case Study	Week 9	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Assignment 2	Week 13	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quizzes

Task Description:

Online quizzes x 4 (5% x4 = 20%)
Ten multiple choice questions per quiz

Due Dates:
Quiz 1 - Week 3
Quiz 2 - Week 6
Quiz 3 - Week 13
Quiz 4 - Week 13

Task Length:

Ten multiple choice questions per quiz

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Quiz 1. Knowledge of medication management, asthma, migraine.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Quiz 2. Knowledge of CHF, stroke, arrhythmia	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Quiz 3. Knowledge of Parkinson’s disease, dementia, diabetes	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Quiz 4. Knowledge of paediatrics, pain	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Assignment 1

Task Description:

Question and answer style assignment, based on the following modules: Medication Management, Asthma, Migraine, CHF exacerbation, Arrhythmias.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The assignment is given a mark for the overall assignment with 90% awarded for appropriate analytical content and relevant reference to the literature.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	10% of the mark is awarded for correct and relevant referencing (Vancouver style). Use of appropriate academic English writing skills (including grammar and spelling) and correct medical terminology. Layout and formatting and originality of work.

Assessment Task 3: Case Study

Task Description:

The case-based learning written presentation is to be prepared by the student from a real life workplace scenario. The case should incorporate aspects of intensive care and/or extended care practice with an emphasis on clinical pharmacological or therapeutic problems and management.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The case-based learning activity is given a mark with 90% awarded for appropriate analytical content.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	10% of the mark is awarded for correct and relevant referencing (Vancouver style). Use of appropriate academic English writing skills (including grammar and spelling) and correct medical terminology. Layout and formatting and originality of work.

Assessment Task 4: Assignment 2

Task Description:

Question and answer style assignment, based on the following modules: Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Dementia, Paediatrics, Pain management, COPD, legislation and prescribing

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	90% awarded for appropriate analytical content and relevant reference to the literature.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	10% of the mark is awarded for correct and relevant referencing (Vancouver style). Use of appropriate academic English writing skills (including grammar and spelling) and correct medical terminology. Layout and formatting and originality of work.

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Any required readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.