Outline

Overview

Introductory Professional Practice is a broad introduction to the discipline of pharmacy, the roles that pharmacists play in health care encompassing the ideas, issues, skills and knowledge base required of a professional pharmacist. It introduces students to concepts that underpin disease state management, including those which are managed directly by the pharmacist as a primary care provider, together with foundational skills and knowledge which equip students for clinical decision-making and problem-solving. The place of pharmacy within the Australian health care system is explored in detail and students are introduced to technical skills used in pharmacy such as dispensing, medicines information and communication. Lectures are supported by online material, tutorial and workshop that allow students to practice and apply skills and knowledge. Themes of evidence based practice, drug information, ethics, clinical reasoning and communication skills run throughout. Learning gained in this unit prepares students for clinical placements and later units of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PHAR5711
Assumed knowledge ?	3cp of Statistics, 12cp of Pharmacology, 12cp of Physiology.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jocelyn Bussing, jocelyn.bussing@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Dispensing Skills Display the skills to process 3 scripts successfully	0%	-	up to 2 hrs
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam	Final Exam Written exam comprising MCQs and SAQs	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation and professional conduct Participation and professional conduct	10%	Multiple weeks	All compulsory activities
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Pre-work submission Various Pre-work tasks to be submitted by the due date on Canvas	10%	Multiple weeks	Weekly
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	IPL Activity Reflection Reflective writing task on the inter-professional learning activity.	5%	Multiple weeks	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Masus Opinion Piece Writing assessment for Professional Writing skills	0%	Week 02	250 words
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Communication Skills Evaluation of communication skills for patient communication level 1	15%	Week 09	3 hrs (including 5 minute scenario)
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Medicines Information Quiz Short quiz to demonstrate Medicines information searching skills.	10%	Week 10	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Management of Common Ailments Assessment for quality information, communication skills and group work.	20%	Week 12	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial Participation and Professional Conduct	Weekly participation and conduct will be recorded.
Tutorial Pre-work	Weekly tutorial and workshop prework completion will be recorded.
Masus Writing	Students will write an opinion piece on a related pharmacy topic to assess professional writing skills.
IPL Reflection piece	Write a reflective piece on the IPL learning activity.
Oral Communication Skills	Students will do an individual role play based on a patient scenario to assess their communication skills.
Dispensing Skills	Students will complete 3 dispensing tasks to show competency in correctly processing scripts.
Group Presentation – Common Ailments	Small groups of students will be allocated a minor ailment and prepare a presentation on the management of the ailment.
Medicines Information Quiz	Short in class quiz.
Final Exam	Written exam with MCQ and short answer questions

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	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 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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Sydney School of Pharmacy policies will be applied to any late submissions.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Lectures Hours	Lecture (30 hr)
Week 01	Communication 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Communication 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Workshop 1	Workshop (2.5 hr)
Week 03	Communication 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Dispensing 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Workshop 2	Workshop (2.5 hr)
Week 05	Dispensing 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Workshop 3	Workshop (2.5 hr)
Week 06	Dispensing 3	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Workshop 4	Workshop (2.5 hr)
Week 07	Dispensing 4	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Workshop 5	Workshop (2.5 hr)
Week 08	Dispensing 5	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Oral Assessment	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Pharmacy Practice 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Dispensing Assessment	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 11	Pharmacy Practice 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Management of Common Ailments	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 13	Pharmacy Practice 3	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

All tutorials will require students to BYO device. Laptop preferred – Smartphone NOT allowed.

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

Compulsory Text: To be purchased and available by Week 4.

Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary 24

Australian Medicines Hand Book (current Version 2020)

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Examine and evaluate scientific evidence – both quantitative and qualitative – in order to arrive at evidence based conclusions.
LO2. Apply appropriate numeracy skills to the solution of pharmacy problems.
LO3. Communicate effectively with patients, families, carers and other health professionals.
LO4. Demonstrate communication skills to assist in gathering information from a patient for the purpose of dispensing a medication for them.
LO5. Reflect upon and apply the benefits of inter professional communication and learning.
LO6. Understand the fundamental principles of therapeutic decision making.
LO7. Maximise patient safety through Quality Use of Medicines and minimise and manage the risk of medication error.
LO8. Recognise the primary industry organisations and their respective roles and scope in the present pharmacy environment.
LO9. Demonstrate the use of key online and written resources to assess the legal requirements of a prescription, identifying both state and national legislative issues.
LO10. Demonstrate the use of standard pharmacy resources to obtain medication information for the purpose of dispensing a prescription correctly, including dosage and key counselling points.
LO11. Display professional writing skills appropriate to this course level

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

Responding to student feedback

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

We have streamlined the prework process and introduced practice communication assessment based on feedback from 2019 cohort and USS results.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

You will attend one Site visit to Medi-advice Broadway. Please see the guidelines.

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

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

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PHAR5911: Introductory Professional Practice

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - 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

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect