PMMAS1-Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Applicants must meet the HCPC entry criteria for enrolment on this module and demonstrate the ability to study at level 7. Co-requisites: Applicants must be concurrently studying PMMPP2 or have completed PMMPP2 to enrol on this module
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mrs Sue Slade
Email: s.j.slade@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module builds on PMMPP2 to enable allied health professionals to practise and develop as supplementary prescribers and to meet the standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which will enable them to apply for annotation to the register to practise as prescribers.

The module can be studied as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Independent Prescribing 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 is mapped to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for all Prescribers.

Aims:

To enable allied health professions practise as supplementary prescribers.  To meet the requirements of the HCPC for annotation as a supplementary prescriber on the professional register.  To demonstrate critical appraisal skills commensurate with Master’s level study.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The following learning outcomes are based on the programme requirements set by the HCPC.

 

Knowledge

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to supplementary prescribing and demonstrate how the law relates to supplementary prescribing practice


2. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of record keeping in the contextof medicines management including:
   
   
   
   1. accurate recording in patients’ notes
   
   
   2. the reporting of near misses
   
   
   3. adverse reactions
   
   
   4. ability to access the CMP
   
   
   
   


3. Develop and document clinical management plans (CMPs) within the context of a prescribing partnership in the stated scope of practice

Skills

1. Develop an effective relationship and communication with patients, carers, other prescribers, members of the health care team and independent prescribers in a prescribing partnership


2. Recognise, evaluate and respond to influences on prescribing practice at individual, local and national levels


3. Demonstrate the ability to monitor response to medicines and modify treatment or refer the patient as appropriate


4. Demonstrate effective consultation skills including the following:
   
   
   
   1. ability to communicate effectively with patients and carers
   
   
   2. how to assess patients’ needs for medicines, taking account of their wishes, values, ethnicity and the choices they may wish to make in their treatment
   
   
   
   


5. Demonstrate effective assessment skills including the following:
   
   
   
   1. ability to take an appropriate history considering legal, cognitive, emotional and physical implications
   
   
   2. ability to conduct a relevant physical assessment/examination of patients within the stated scope of practice
   
   
   3. the process of effective clinical decision-making
   
   
   4. how to assess patients’ needs for medicines, taking account of their wishes, values, ethnicity and the choices they may wish to make in their treatment
   
   
   
   


6. Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively

Behaviours

1. Demonstrate a reflective approach to continuing professional development of prescribing practice


2. Continually advance own knowledge and understanding through continuing professional development and life-long learning


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

 

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.

Outline content:

This module will focus on supporting practitioners to apply a range of clinical and scientific knowledge to develop as autonomous practitioners working in prescribing partnerships.  The content will also include clinical decision making, influence on (and the psychology of) prescribing, clinical governance, legal and ethical aspects to prescribing and public health.

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

Global context:

As an accredited programme this module can only be offered to is offered to UK practising allied health professionals 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, 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 developing their knowledge and skills.

A minimum of 78 hours of supervised workplace-based learning is required where practitioners will undertake activities to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours.  This will be guided by the professional portfolio of learning.

This module is usually studied with PMMPP2, although the two modules may be studied concurrently.  As a standalone module it is usually studied over three to four 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	49
Work-based learning	78
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	112
Wider reading (directed)	49
Exam revision/preparation	14
Preparation for presentations	7
Preparation for seminars	14
Completion of formative assessment tasks	7
Essay preparation	35
Reflection	35
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	25
Written assignment including essay	50
Practical skills assessment	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

1. 1 hour written examination paper
   
   
   
   • Long answer questions
   
   
   
   


2. Practical skills assessment: 1 hour Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
   
   
   
   • Extended patient scenario station
   
   
   • Scope of practice viva
   
   
   • Prescription writing exercise
   
   
   
   

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

During module:

1. Case study
   
   
   
   • Written report of approximately 2,500 words
   
   
   
   


2. Reflective account
   
   
   
   • Written report of approximately 1,500 words
   
   
   
   

End of module:

1. 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. Oral presentation to peers


4. Mock OSCE station


5. Mock prescription writing exercise


6. Mock examination papers


7. Feedback from programme team and peers during workshops


8. Optional formative peer feedback on draft case study


9. Optional formative feedback on draft reflective account

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 examination paper must be passed at 50%


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


3. The reflective account must be passed at 50% with all essential criteria met


4. Each OSCE station must be passed at 50% with all essential criteria met


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


6. 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 for 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):

Last updated: 30 March 2023