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Unit outline_

PHAR2922: Respiratory

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study integrates pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice content relating to the treatment of respiratory conditions. The unit will cover the pharmaceutical sciences that underpin drug therapies used in managing these conditions; the physiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical features of the conditions; and practice-related aspects from dispensing to professional pharmacy services. Knowledge gained is applied in case-based scenarios, workshops, role plays and work-integrated learning settings, where students have the opportunity to assimilate the learnt information and apply them to optimise the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of patients with these conditions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1XX1) and (BIOL1009 or BIOL1X07) and PHAR1921 and PHAR1922
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Philip Kwok, philip.kwok@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Suzanne Ollerenshaw, suzanne.ollerenshaw@sydney.edu.au
Veysel Kayser, veysel.kayser@sydney.edu.au
Jan-Willem Alffenaar, johannes.alffenaar@sydney.edu.au
Bandana Saini, bandana.saini@sydney.edu.au
Philip Kwok, philip.kwok@sydney.edu.au
Jaimie Polson, jaimie.polson@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final exam
In-person paper exam
45% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8 LO10 LO11
Small continuous assessment Participation and professionalism
Participation during workshops and dispensing/counselling classes
5% Multiple weeks Throughout semester
Outcomes assessed: LO9 LO13 LO12 LO10
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Oral exam
Dispensing and counselling
20% Multiple weeks 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6 LO10 LO9 LO7
Placement hurdle task Pharmacy placement preceptor assessment
Pharmacy placement preceptor assessment
0% Multiple weeks 2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO15 LO13 LO12
Placement Pharmacy placement debrief session
Pharmacy placement debrief session
0% Multiple weeks 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO15 LO12 LO10 LO8 LO5
Assignment Pharmacy placement portfolio
Pharmacy placement portfolio
5% Multiple weeks 2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO4 LO8 LO10 LO12 LO15
Small test Practical quiz
Practical quiz
5% Week 06 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO2 LO8
Supervised test
? 
Mid-semester test
In-person paper test
20% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 14:30
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO10 LO11
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Interprofessional communication education module
Interprofessional communication education module
0% Week 08 2 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO13 LO14
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Final exam: The final exam will cover all materials in the unit and will have multiple choice questions only. You must obtain at least 22.5 out of 45 to pass.

Mid-semester test: The mid-semester test will cover all materials in the unit taught from Week 1 to the week before the mid-semester test. It will have multiple choice questions only.

Oral exam: The oral exam is composed of four cases done over several dispensing/counselling classes. It assesses five competency criteria (history taking, documentation, dispensing, counselling content, and counselling communication) in each of the four cases. You must meet each competency criterion at least twice amongst the four cases to pass.

Practical quiz: The practical quiz will test your understanding of the materials covered in the practical and needs to be completed before the practical.

Participation and professionalism: This component assesses your participation and professionalism in workshops, dispensing/counselling classes, and practicals.

Pharmacy placement preceptor assessment: The pharmacy placement preceptor assessment evaluates your performance in the pharmacy placement. You must obtain a satisfactory assessment to pass.

Pharmacy placement debrief session: The pharmacy placement debrief session discusses your experience and observations during the pharmacy placement.

Pharmacy placement portfolio: The pharmacy placement portfolio is a report of your observations during the pharmacy placement.

Interprofessional communication education module: The interprofessional communication education module will cover the essential communication skills for working effectively in a multidisciplinary health care team. You must participate in this module to pass.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

A failure in any hurdle task will result in a maximum mark of 45 FA for the unit of study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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 grade

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to students who demonstrate the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts. 

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the units material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts. 

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the units material and can solve routine problems and/ or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts. 

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory adequately referencing the original source of the work. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Interprofessional learning workshops in Weeks 7 and 8 Workshop (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15
Pharmacy placement in Week 9 or mid-semester break Placement (37.5 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15
Self-directed learning Independent study (50.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15
Week 01 Unit introduction Lecture (0.5 hr) LO2
Anatomy of the respiratory system Lecture (1.5 hr) LO2
Week 02 Physiology of the respiratory system Lecture (2 hr) LO2
Week 03 Breathlessness Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8
Cough Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Dispensing and counselling Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 04 Asthma Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO10 LO11
Dispensing and counselling Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 05 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO10 LO11
Asthma Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 06 Inhaler technique Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Cystic fibrosis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Spirometry Practical (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO8
Week 07 Sleep apnoea Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Environmental aspects of respiratory health Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8 LO12
Inhaler technique Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Dispensing and counselling Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 08 Environmental aspects of respiratory health Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 10 Respiratory viral infections Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Dispensing and counselling Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 11 Antiviral drugs for respiratory viral infections Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Pneumonia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Week 12 Tuberculosis Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Dispensing and counselling Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15
Week 13 Respiratory fungal infections Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11
Revision session Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12
Tuberculosis Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO15

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend a minimum of 85% of tutorials, workshops/placements and laboratory sessions to satisfy attendance requirements for this unit of study.

If a tutorial/lab/workshop/placement is missed due to illness or misadventure, students are to submit a special consideration application along with supporting documentation.

Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the commencement of the tutorial/laboratory/workshop/placement will be marked as unprofessional, which is a component of the class participation and professionalism assessment.

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.

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. Explain the chemistry and pharmacology that underpin the mechanism of action and activity of medicines used in respiratory conditions.
  • LO2. Describe the physiology, epidemiology and pathophysiology of respiratory conditions.
  • LO3. Apply clinical reasoning, knowledge of relevant legislation and ethical principles to identify, assess and address a range of health, ethical and medication-related issues.
  • LO4. Communicate effectively and appropriately in a culturally-capable manner with patients, families, carers and other health professionals.
  • LO5. Demonstrate patient-centred care and shared decision making in interactions with patients, families and carers relating to respiratory conditions.
  • LO6. Demonstrate appropriate skills for interacting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families and carers in a way which fosters cultural awareness and respect.
  • LO7. Gather, document, assess and manage relevant information appropriately and accurately from patients, families, carers, health care professionals and other sources.
  • LO8. Propose, and justify the rationale for, the most appropriate pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological treatment(s) tailored for a specific patient and their circumstances, using relevant evidence-based resources.
  • LO9. Dispense and/or prepare pharmaceutical products for a patient with a respiratory condition in a legal, safe and ethical manner.
  • LO10. Provide appropriate tailored advice and counselling to a patient with a respiratory condition to ensure the quality use of medicines.
  • LO11. Identify, assess and resolve potential or actual adverse effects from the use/misuse of legal or illegal medicines.
  • LO12. Demonstrate responsibility for personal and professional development through independent learning and continuous reflection.
  • LO13. Work effectively and cooperatively as a member of a learning and/or working team.
  • LO14. Contribute effectively as a pharmacist member of a multidisciplinary health care team to optimise patient outcomes.
  • LO15. Uphold the reputation of the pharmacy profession, including practising within relevant legal requirements, professional guidelines and ethical frameworks, and demonstrating appropriate attitudes and values.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This is the first time this unit has been offered. Thank you very much for your time in doing the survey and providing feedback. Your comments are helpful for improving the unit. I shall review the structure/content of the unit, pass the relevant comments to the teachers/tutors concerned, and improve the unit accordingly.
  • Clinical placement checks and clearances (including verification of immunisations and Criminal Record Check) – Full verification by the Office of Clinical Education Support required for students to undertake placements. This process involves fulfilment of immunisation requirements which can typically take six months to complete. Students were advised on this at enrolment and no exceptions will be made for students who are not fully verified. See link for more information: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement-checks.html
  • Working with Children Check
  • Pharmacy Placement WHS Checklist (available via Canvas)

Site visit guidelines

Contact your preceptor by phone or in-person to introduce yourself and confirm your placement at least one week prior to commencement of placement.

Work, health and safety

Required materials:

Protective Lab coat and safety glasses are required for laboratory sessions.

The following equipment is required in addition to the specified texts and references: two spatulas, one small and one large or medium. A marker pen is highly recommended.

While working within the dispensing laboratory, all students must wear a clean white lab coat and wear shoes which completely cover the feet (no sandals or thongs are permitted).  No shorts are permitted.

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.