Course description
This programme offers an unrivalled learning experience and access to Sunderland's excellent facilities. Teaching is undertaken on the small number of study days by clinicians and clinical pharmacists. Students will receive comprehensive up to date open learning materials. Completion of the masters programmes also provides a sound training in practice research
Medicines management seeks to maximise health gain by the best use of resources and covers all aspects of use of medicines including Medicines prescribing, compliance and concordance.
Medicines management is an important part of prevention and treatment of disease. Vast sums of money are spent on medicines every year and a part of this is wasted because sometimes people do not take their medicines correctly either because of insufficient explanation and information or because they do not realise the importance of taking their medicines in the prescribed regimen.
Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have a key role in improving patient outcomes through medicines management. This process involves educating patients, family and careers, achieving compliance, optimising therapy and monitoring treatment.
This Medicines Management programme is available to healthcare practitioners interested in extending their knowledge of rational and economic use of medicines.
For pharmacists interested in this field of study, The Medicines Management programme is similar to Clinical Pharmacy but does not require registration as a pharmacist in the UK and also may be studied by students who do not have access to patients to undertake the clinical clerkship practitioner tasks.
To allow students from different backgrounds to study in their chosen area of interest , the options module, offers a broad range of subjects.
Attendance
There is one introductory day for all part-time students and 6 compulsory study days in Year 1 and approximately 6 to 7 study days in Year 2 (depending upon options chosen). The remainder of the study is directed through open learning workbooks.
The programme was revalidated in 2005 and the new format operated from summer 2006. All the MSc, PG Diploma and PG Certificate programmes continue in the open-learning format with a small number of study days. Students use a mixture of paper and internet based materials (distance-learning units or workbooks) covering all aspects of the syllabus while much of the reference material is provided and guidance as to the sources of other material is detailed. This material will continue to be authored by University of Sunderland staff and expert practitioners and be validated by experts in the fields. Study days for part-time students include tutorials and workshops and a series of specialist keynote lectures presented by staff or by occasional lecturers.
Course Content
Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits
You study the following core modules:
* Evidence Based Practice: including Critical Appraisal and Pharmacoeconomics
* Clinical Biochemistry
Together with the first 3 therapeutics modules:
* Cardiovascular
* CNS
* Endocrine
Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits
You will continue with 3 further therapeutics modules:
* Gastrointestinal
* Musculoskeletal
* Respiratory
* And also 1 further core module:
* Skills in Practice
Plus 2 optional modules from this list:
* Anticoagulation
* Dermatology
* Infection
* Natural Health Products
* Palliative Care
* Public and Population Health
Stage 3
Masters (MSc) 60 credits
Part-time students may continue to study Research Skills and undertake a research project to complete the MSc in year three.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is through open learning, lectures, seminars, group work and structured practical experience, and is delivered by staff from the University of Sunderland with some lectures from clinical specialists. The project requires you to investigate a topic of practical relevance to patients' needs, and may either involve your own practice base or be based entirely at the University. Assessment is mostly using a variety of types of coursework, including reports, oral presentations, case studies, critical appraisals as well as OSCE and a thesis for the MSc project.
Career Opportunities
Healthcare professionals have a key role in improving patient outcomes through medicines management. This process involves educating patients, family and carers, achieving compliance, optimising therapy and monitoring treatment.
For pharmacists this programme opens up careers such as: prescribing support pharmacists, pharmaceutical advisors, practice pharmacists, research and teaching.
