Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MDS3011

 
TITLE Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will provide a comprehensive basis of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics to medical students in order to give them a sound understanding of the principles underlying the actions and uses of the various classes of drugs in the clinical setting.

It will cover the pharmacology and therapeutics in various disease areas including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, haemopoetic and lymphoid systems, immunology and rheumatology, genito-urinary tract and endocrine system.

A strong emphasis will be placed on optimizing the understanding of drug safety.

The unit will use formal lectures and tutorials to compliment and enhance case based learning.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to:

- provide a sound foundation of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics to medical students;
- provide a sound understanding of the principles underlying the actions and applications of the various classes of drugs in the clinical setting;
- provide prescribing rationales and management protocols within the framework of conditions managed by the drug classes included in this study unit;
- emphasize the safe and effective use of drugs, while minimizing their potential adverse effects and avoiding potential interactions.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- apply basic principles in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics specific classes of drugs specifically antimicrobial drugs and drugs used in cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, haemopoetic and lymphoid systems, immunology and rheumatology, genito-urinary tract, endocrine system medical conditions;
- describe the various scientific principles underlying the actions and uses of the above specific classes of drugs in the clinical setting;
- recognize the importance of understanding the mode of action and clinical use of these classes of drugs;
- list the clinical principles involved in the selection of these classes drugs to the individual patient;
- predict the effects of these classes of drugs in specific patients;
- outline the concept of individualised drug therapy in use of these classes of drugs;
- appreciate issues related to the safe and effective use of drugs.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- apply knowledge of the mode of drug action to specific clinical scenarios in the use of specific classes of drugs mainly those used in cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, haemopoetic and lymphoid systems, immunology and rheumatology, genito-urinary tract, endrocine system medical conditions;
- apply basic pharmacological principles in prescribing decisions for these classes of drugs;
- be aware of interpatient variability with respect to drug response in these classes of drugs;
- explain the selection of differing drug therapies in these drug classes for the individual patient;
- apply basics safety principles when selecting and monitoring drug therapy.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Recommended

• Humphrey P. Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM, Flower R. Rang & Dale's Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone. 8th Ed. 2015 .
• Bennett PN, Brown MJ. Clinical Pharmacology. Churchill Livingstone. 11th Ed. 2012.
• British National Formulary. Pharmaceutical Press. Latest edition.

Reference/Additional

• Brunton L, Lazo J, Parker K. Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. McGraw-Hill Medical. 12th Ed. 2011.
• Waller DG, Renwick AG, Hillier K. Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Saunders. 4th Ed. 2013.

Lecture notes

• McKay GA, Reid JL, Walters MW. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Lecture Notes). Blackwell. 8th Ed. 2011.
• Neal MJ. Medical Pharmacology at a Glance. Wiley-Blackwell. 8th Ed. 2015.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite Study-units: MDS2009

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Multiple Choice Questions Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Andrew Aquilina
Oscar Aquilina
Christopher Barbara
Alex Alexander Nicholas Borg
Michael Angelo Borg
Maryanne Caruana
Bernard Coleiro
Maria A. Cordina
Roger Ellul Micallef
Emmanuel Farrugia
Alexander Gatt
Gatt Kurt Magri
Janet Mifsud (Co-ord.)
Josanne Vassallo
Eliezer Zahra
Peter Zarb

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit