Outline

Overview

With reference to one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy, the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM), students will focus on developing skills related to selecting management options wisely considering the risk and benefit to the consumer, choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary and using medicines safely and effectively. Students will explore the regulatory framework associated with medication management and focus on clinical pharmacological therapies relevant to their specialist area of practice as an advanced practitioner. Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) is one of the central objectives of Australia's National Medicines Policy and serves as a conceptual and practice framework for this unit of study. Quality Use of Medicines is defined as: considering and selecting the best management options for each individual wisely by considering both non-drug and drug options; choosing suitable medicines if a medicine is considered necessary so that the best available option is selected by taking into account the individual, the clinical condition, the risks and benefits, dosage and length of treatment required, any coexisting conditions, other therapies the individual may be taking, monitoring considerations, costs for the individual, the community and the health system as a whole, and ensuring medicines are used safely and effectively to get the best possible results by monitoring outcomes, minimising misuse, overuse and underuse and improving people's ability to solve problems related to medication.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	NURS5088
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ludmila Ovchinikova, ludmila.ovchinikova@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Ludmila Ovchinikova, ludmila.ovchinikova@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assessment 1a: Online prescribing modules Online modules	25%	Week 03 Due date: 16 Aug 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 1b. Online prescribing modules Online modules	25%	Week 08 Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2: Case study report Case study	50%	Week 12 Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Assessment 3: Clinical assessments (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) Clinical assessments	0%	Week 13 Due date: 30 Oct 2024 at 23:59	3 assessments
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Assessment 4: Clinical log 60 hours (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) Clinical log	0%	Week 13 Due date: 30 Oct 2024 at 23:59	60 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1a & 1b - Online Prescribing Modules: Students will complete a total of six assessable online learning activities. These activities include five clinical case studies designed to deconstruct the process of prescribing, to develop skills in seeking information related to use of medicines, and the application of a stepwise approach to medication management. There is also a Qaulity Use of Medicines (QUM) online module.
Assessment 2 - Case Study Report: Students will choose a case from their own area of practice, of a patient who requires a pharmaceutical intervention, and evaluate the intervention utilised in relation to best evidence. Students will evaluate the processes utilised in the patient’s medication management and compare and contrast this against principles of rational prescribing as detailed in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Principles of Good Prescribing. Additionally, students will draft a personal formulary of the medication(s) prescribed in the case.
Assessment 3 - Clinical Assessments: Students are required to complete clinical assessments of the quality use of medicines at an advanced and extended practice level. The assessment will be based on the assessor’s observations and further questioning if required, following review of at least three clinical cases which both the supervisor and student have reviewed together.
Assessment 4 - Clinical Log

Please note: Each student is required to submit/attend all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Week 01	Overview and understanding QUM; Practicalities of prescribing; Professional resources; Prescribing framework; Prescription writing; QUM in practice; Online modules.	Block teaching (15 hr)
Week 06	Overview and understanding QUM; Practicalities of prescribing; Professional resources; Prescribing framework; Prescription writing; QUM in practice; Online modules.	Block teaching (7 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend three on-campus study days.

The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage in the content of this unit of study by attending all study days, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and dignified manner.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

font: use Calibri or Arial in 11 - 12 point
double line spacing
margins: 2.5cm each side
use page numbers
refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed via Canvas and the The University of Sydney Library (https://www.library.sydney.edu.au/)

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of guidelines and standards for prescription and administration of medications, and the ethical and legal responsibilities as an advanced practice clinician
LO2. Utilise a rational-prescribing approach to the use of medicines considering risk, benefit and optimisation of dosage regimens, as well as long-term effects of medication use for consumers and society
LO3. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) in its widest context including the impact on the patient’s/client’s family, and awareness of the context of prescribing
LO4. Critically evaluate sources of pharmaceutical information and other resources to guide advanced nursing practice with pharmaceutical therapies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 3.1. Statement 3.1: Prescribes indicated non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions 3.3. Statement 3.3: Practices in accordance with federal, state and territorial legislation and professional regulation governing nurse practitioner practice
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 2.1. Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care 2.3. Statement 2.3: Considers quality use of medicines and therapeutic interventions in planning care
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 2.2. Statement 2.2: Educates and supports others to enable their active participation in care 2.3. Statement 2.3: Considers quality use of medicines and therapeutic interventions in planning care 3.2. Statement 3.2: Maintains relationships with people at the centre of care
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 2.1. Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care 2.4. Statement 2.4: Refers and consults for care decisions to obtain optimal outcomes for the person receiving care 4.1. Statement 4.1: Evaluates the outcomes of own practice

Nurse practitioner standards for practice -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
2.1		Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care
2.2		Statement 2.2: Educates and supports others to enable their active participation in care
2.3		Statement 2.3: Considers quality use of medicines and therapeutic interventions in planning care
2.4		Statement 2.4: Refers and consults for care decisions to obtain optimal outcomes for the person receiving care
3.1		Statement 3.1: Prescribes indicated non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions
3.2		Statement 3.2: Maintains relationships with people at the centre of care
3.3		Statement 3.3: Practices in accordance with federal, state and territorial legislation and professional regulation governing nurse practitioner practice
4.1		Statement 4.1: Evaluates the outcomes of own practice
4.2		Statement 4.2: Advocates for, participates in, or leads systems that support safe care, partnership and professional growth

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

More time has been allowed between assessments 1a and 1b for students to reflect upon and incorporate feedback.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

NURS5077: Quality Use of Medicines in Practice

Semester 2, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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