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PA50339: Managing polypharmacy and multimorbidity - reducing risk

Academic Year: 2018/9
Owning Department/School: Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Modular (no specific semester)
Assessment Summary: CW 80%, MC 20%
Assessment Detail:
  • Assessment Group A: Medicines Optimisation Tool (PhIF Bath ass't grp A) (CW 60%)
  • Assessment Group A: CARE Tool (PhIF Bath ass't grp A) (CW 20%)
  • Assessment Group A: pOSA (PhIF Bath ass't grp A) (MC 20%)
  • Assessment Group B: Medicines Optimisation Tool (PhIF London ass't grp B) (CW 60%)
  • Assessment Group B: CARE Tool (PhIF London ass't grp B) (CW 20%)
  • Assessment Group B: pOSA (PhIF London ass't grp B) (MC 20%)
  • Assessment Group C: Medicines Optimisation Tool (PhIF South ass't grp C) (CW 60%)
  • Assessment Group C: CARE Tool (PhIF South ass't grp C) (CW 20%)
  • Assessment Group C: pOSA (PhIF South ass't grp C) (MC 20%)
  • Assessment Group D: Medicines Optimisation Tool (Non-PhIF ass't grp D) (CW 60%)
  • Assessment Group D: CARE Tool (Non-PhIF ass't grp D) (CW 20%)
  • Assessment Group D: pOSA (Non-PhIF ass't grp D) (MC 20%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: In taking this unit you must not repeat therapeutic areas which have already been used in assessments for PA50341/PA50352 (Providing Better Care for Older People).
Description: Aims:
To update knowledge on polypharmacy and multimorbidity and reduce associated risks such as adverse drug reactions. To appraise the tools available to manage polypharmacy to reduce risk and adverse outcomes such as avoidable hospital admissions. Develop consultation skills to consider the ethical challenges of de-prescribing. To enable pharmacists to apply medicines optimisation to support patients on multiple medicines.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Explain the different types of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions and apply this knowledge to minimise risks associated with polypharmacy. (MOT)
2. Discuss the co-morbidities, patient factors and drugs likely to increase risk of adverse drug reactions and how to minimise these risks through appropriate monitoring or review. (MOT)
3. Critically evaluate the currently available screening tools and resources for managing the risks associated with polypharmacy. (MOT)
4. Demonstrate a systematic approach to medication reviews of patients with multiple co-morbidities and polypharmacy. (MOT)
5. Demonstrate good communication and patient centred consultation skills to approach the ethical decisions regarding de-prescribing. (Practice task, MOT)
6. Identify times of high risk in patient care and apply medicines optimisation within multidisciplinary care pathways to improve patient outcomes. (MOT, CARE)

Skills:

* Planning & organisation
* Basic clinical examination skills
* Consultation and communication skills
* Study skills
* Handling information
* Problem solving
* Working with others
* Leadership skills
* Written communication
* Improving learning and performance
* Reflective practice
* Information & communication technology

Content:
Defining polypharmacy and multimorbidity
Adverse drug reactions and interactions
Reducing hospital admissions
Identification of high risk patients and high risk drugs - multiple co-morbidities
Falls risk
Tools for managing polypharmacy
De-prescribing - difficult discussions and ethical decisions
Transfer of Care - a high risk time
Pharmacy services to support medicines optimisation in polypharmacy - medicines review and medicines reconciliation
Evidence-based polypharmacy
Managing care home medicines optimisation
Communication challenges
Care plans.
Programme availability:

PA50339 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2018/19 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2019/20 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2018/19.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Undergraduates: .
  • Postgraduates: .