PMMCE1-Clinically Enhanced Skills

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Applicants must meet the GPhC entry criteria for enrolment on this module and demonstrate the ability to study at level 7. Applicants will also need to demonstrate good baseline knowledge and skills in their scope if practice to ensure they are able to undertake this module rather than PMMPP1.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: PMMPP1 Preparing to Prescribe for Pharmacists
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mrs Caroline Gowlett
Email: caroline.gowlett@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is aimed at students enrolled on the independent prescribing programme who are studying for the clinically enhanced programme.  This module aims to develop clinically enhanced skills in history taking and physical assessment.  Through academic study days and workplace-based learning students will be supported to develop skills in analysing, evaluating and recording information in relation to enhanced patient care roles.

Students who wish to continue their studies in advanced history taking and clinical assessment can complete further study on modules PMMAH1 or PMMWBL as stand-alone modules or as part of the MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice.  Practitioners will be supported to reflect on their experiences by developing a professional portfolio of their learning, which can be mapped to a relevant professional framework, such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for all Prescribers.

Aims:

To enable pharmacists to develop the core competencies required to prepare them to study for module PMMIP2.  To demonstrate critical appraisal skills commensurate with Master’s level study.  To develop clinically enhanced skills in history taking and physical assessment.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The following learning outcomes are based on the programme requirements set by the GPhC for prescribing programmes.

Knowledge

1. Explain the way medicines work in relation to the disease process (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics)


2. Describe the roles and relationships of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines


3. Describe how consultation models can support appropriate communication with patients


4. Explain the pathophysiology of the disease state(s) within the stated scope of practice

Skills

1. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice


2. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and apply evidence-based medicine (EBM) to individualise patient care


3. Demonstrate the ability to analyse available data to differentiate normal and abnormal results for the stated scope of practice


4. Demonstrate the ability to undertake respectful physical examinations of patients within the stated scope of practice


5. Demonstrate the ability to use equipment to support the physical assessment of patients within the stated scope of practice

Behaviours

1. Continually advance own knowledge, skills and behaviours through continuing professional development and life-long learning


2. Demonstrate a systematic approach to medicines optimisation for patients within stated scopes of practice


3. Demonstrate professional behaviours consistent with the GPhC’s Standards for Pharmacy Professionals

Additional outcomes:

To gain the level 7 qualification practitioners will need to demonstrate Master’s level critical appraisal during their studies, including the implications to their own practice.

The following learning outcomes are required to demonstrate the enhanced clinical skills required of this module:

Knowledge

1. Describe when it is appropriate to refer to a senior colleague or on to another health care professional


2. Discuss the theoretical and clinical aspects underpinning physical assessment skills and explain the physical assessment and differential diagnosis of disease states affecting the body systems covered in the module

Skills

1. Demonstrate a systematic approach to managing patients with a range of common conditions, including formulating a differential diagnosis


2. Demonstrate the ability to use equipment to support the physical assessment of patients

Behaviours

1. Treat the patient as an individual, providing holistic care with consideration for lifestyle


2. Demonstrate a systematic approach to managing patients with a range of common conditions

Students who are not able to demonstrate the above clinically enhanced learning outcomes but demonstrate meeting the core learning outcomes may be able to transfer to PMMPP1 to continue studying for a non-clinically enhanced prescribing qualification.

Outline content:

This module will focus on supporting practitioners to apply a range of clinical and scientific knowledge to develop as prescribing practitioners.  The content will also include consultation skills, evidence-based practice, pharmacoeconomics and physical assessment skills.  This module aims to provide an overview of the major body systems.  It will provide students with an understanding of more detailed history taking and physical assessment skills to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours in consulting with patients/carers and diagnosing disease affecting core body systems.

Workplace-based learning will begin to focus on the practitioner’s individual scope of practice, applying the taught content to their own context and patient population.

Global context:

As an accredited programme this module can only be offered to UK practising pharmacists who meet the entry criteria.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will use a range of teaching and learning methods.  The University teaching is based around face-to-face workshops using a mixture of presentations, problem-based learning and case-based learning that is facilitated by the programme team, specialists and other healthcare professionals.  The workshops are underpinned by directed learning via Blackboard and self-directed learning where practitioners are required to use a range of sources to gain information to support the development of their knowledge and skills.  As applicants to this module require good baseline skills in their scope of practice the contact and independent study hours are different to PMMPP1 but the core learning outcomes must still be demonstrated.

There are 12 mandatory hours of supervised workplace-based learning required for this module, but practitioners are encouraged to undertake more hours than this to further develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours.&nbs p; The need for additional learning in practice hours will be dependent on the individual workplace-based learning environment and learning goals.  The mandatory hours will be guided by the professional portfolio of learning.

This module can be studied prior to PMMIP2, although the two modules may be studied concurrently.  As a standalone module it is usually studied over two to three months, and there may be more than one cohort per year, therefore the distinction of hours by term is not possible.  The hours shown for autumn term below are spread over the entire module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	42
Work-based learning	12
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	48
Wider reading (directed)	42
Preparation for presentations	7
Preparation for seminars	12
Completion of formative assessment tasks	9
Essay preparation	21
Reflection	7
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

During module:

1. Case study

• Written report of approximately 2,500 words

End of module:

2. Professional portfolio of learning

• Portfolio contents review?

Formative assessment methods:

1. Workplace-based assessments during workplace-based learning


2. Feedback on workplace-based learning from supervisors


3. Feedback from programme team during workshops


4. Optional formative feedback on draft case study

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

All elements of assessment must be passed; there is no compensation between elements:

1. The case study must be passed at 50% with all essential criteria met


2. The professional portfolio of learning must be passed (pass/fail mark) and contain all mandatory content


3. The portfolio must contain a statement of competence and completion signed by the approved workplace-based supervisor

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will usually be arranged promptly to allow students to continue their studies although, where necessary, may occur with the next cohort, within a three to four-month period.  Individualised timings may be required depending on the specific requirements for reassessment and ongoing further study.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: A wide variety of text books are available from the library.  Students may choose to purchase their own copies at varying costs.

2) Specialist equipment or materials: Students may choose to purchase their own professional standard stethoscope costing approximately £90-£160

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: Students can submit most of their portfolio online.  Currently library costs for printing are 5p a sheet for black and white. A simple ring binder can be purchased from stationers for around £3.

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022