Overview

This prescribing module is specifically aimed at registered pharmacists who wish to become independent prescribers and have identified how becoming an independent prescriber will benefit patient care.  This is a blended learning course, module code NHS-4259. 

The module will start in September in Semester 1 of the academic year. 

This module is organised into learning units that will cover the following topic areas: 

consultation skills 

examination skills

managing risk 

diagnostic reasoning

record-keeping 

antimicrobial stewardship and the public health role of the prescriber 

deprescribing 

person-centred care and shared decision making 

evidence-based prescribing 

legal frameworks and accountability 

ethical issues 

prescribing governance 

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Threshold (Minimum C-) • Knowledge of key areas/principles of prescribing
• Understands the main elements of the prescribing issue identified • Limited evidence of background study
• Answer focused on prescribing but also with some irrelevant material
• Arguments presented but lack coherence • No original interpretation
• Only major links between topics are described • Some weaknesses in presentation and accuracy

-good -Good (Minimum B-) • Strong knowledge • Demonstrates understanding of the prescribing issue • Evidence of extensive contemporaneous background study
• Focused answer with good structure • Arguments presented coherently • Some limited original interpretation • Well known links between prescribing topics are described and analysed • Problems addressed by existing methods/approaches • Good presentation with accurate communication

-excellent -Excellent (Minimum A-) Comprehensive knowledge of the facts and principles surrounding independent prescribing • Detailed understanding of the subject area
• Extensive relevant contemporaneous background study • Highly focused answer and well structured • Logically presented and defended arguments • No factual/computational errors • Original interpretation
• New links between topics are developed • New approach to a problem • Outstanding quality in terms of presentation with accurate use of grammar

Learning Outcomes

• Adopt a reflective approach to critically appraise how the use of contemporaneous evidence supports safe prescribing practice and improves patient care

• Apply a comprehensive level of practical pharmacology knowledge to individual patient care, relevant to own scope of prescribing practice 

• Apply and justify the consultation, examination and diagnostic skills required to support prescribing decisions

• Demonstrate and apply a critical understanding of a person-centred care approach to prescribing practice

• Demonstrate and apply the professional knowledge and skills required as a prescriber, whilst considering the legal and ethical implications

• Demonstrate and evaluate how prescribing practice can be developed, improved and remain current