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Study information

Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year

PGDip Clinical Pharmacy

1. Programme Details

Programme namePGDip Clinical Pharmacy Programme codePDP2EMSEMS06
Study mode(s) Academic year2019/0
Campus(es)St Luke's (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

Healthcare practitioners are taking an increasing role in delivering clinical care in the UK.  Healthcare delivery is complex for several reasons including the rise in multi-morbidity, issued prescriptions and polypharmacy. This programme has been designed to build on your expertise of medicines by developing your knowledge, skills and confidence in clinical assessment and management within the context of clinical care. In addition, you will develop a critical and reflective approach to professional practice. Practical workshops, small group discussions and project work will form part on the programme as well as lead lectures from experienced primary care practitioners and researchers.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

1. Provide you with a ‘practitioner-scholar’ led environment of multi-disciplinary learning and the sharing of ideas, perspective and experiences related to real-world clinical and healthcare scenarios
2. Inspire you to explore and consider options to complex scenarios from the perspective of: patients, health care practitioners and health care systems and models.
3. Support your development as a practitioner-scholar through a phased introduction to clinical assessment, including examination techniques and communication skills, clinical management, applying evidence to practice and research methods
4. Enable you to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and reflect on the translation of research into healthcare practice, and significant events into quality improvement activities.
5. Provide opportunities through assessed tasks to: reflect on clinical practice, research the evidence for clinical care, develop clinical skills and design quality improvement activities.

4. Programme Structure

The programme has been designed to offer flexibility to learners. There will be two compulsory (core) 15 credit module (Applied Therapeutics & Skills for Patient-centred Care). Other optional modules can then be taken to build to a Diploma award (120 credits). These modules are studied on a part-time basis.

A blended approach to learning will be achieved through taught sessions, clinical skills practice and case-based discussion along with the support of online resources and moderated activities on the University of Exeter’s electronic learning platforms. Expert tutors and guest lecturers will represent an appropriately diverse range of clinical and research backgrounds.

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

This Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy is a 2 year part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ).The programme is divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. 

Students who complete the compulsory modules (30 credits)  plus as additional 30 credits (total 60 credits) in Stage 1 may exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy 

Students who decide to choose the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing 45 credit module, will be required to undergo a separate admissions process, in addition to the initial admissions process that they have completed to secure a place on the PgDip Clinical Pharmacy course. This is to ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing module.

Our PGT programmes are designed as standalone courses but the College also aims to provide flexibility where possible. We recognise that students may sometimes wish to take a module from elsewhere in the College, or the wider University, to fit in with their specific research or professional interests.  A taught Diploma is made up of 120 credits.  Normally at least 90 credits of taught modules (but an absolute minimum of 60 credits) will need be taken from within the named award in order to graduate with that award. That means that 30 credits could be made up from one or more modules from another programme(s) in place of your scheduled ones, depending on the module prerequisites, the contact days of the modules and your funding source.  There may be an additional fee associated with certain postgraduate modules. It is also important to note that the timing of your new module’s contact days and assessments might conflict with your existing programme of studies. If after considering these factors you would like to explore this option further, please contact the CMH’s PGT Support team in the first instance, who will advise about the application process, which would then go for approval from the Programme Director of your current programme and the Module Lead and Programme Director of the programme(s) in which your new module(s) sits.

 

Stage 1


The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM051 Applied Therapeutics 15No
HPDM063 Skills for Patient-centred Care 15No

Optional Modules

*To comply with GPhC accreditation specifications, a separate application process is required for entry onto module HPDM068

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
HPDM079 From Theory to Practice to Quality 15No
HPDM062 Long-term Condition Care 1 15No
HPDM067 Population and Public Health 15No
HPDM065 Care of the Older Adult 15No
HPDM066 Long-term Condition Care 2 15No
HPDM064 Acute Presentations in Practice 15No
HPDM068 Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing 45Yes

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Understand, analyse and evaluate healthcare environments, systems and teams
2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills to ensure implementation and audit of prescribing within governance frameworks
3. Clinically assess and make shared management plans in patient-facing clinical practice, using evidence-based knowledge, communication skills and clinical examination techniques.
4. Use the principles of medicines optimisation in patient-centred clinical practice to achieve quality outcomes

Lectures, seminars, practical sessions, web based learning, resource gathering and in-depth reading. Project work.

Preparation and writing for assignments

1.Structured significant event analysis highlighting team and systems issues – ILO 1

2. Quality improvement activity responding to results of completed audit - ILO 2

3. Observed demonstration of clinical assessment techniques – ILO 3

4. Written account, referencing patient cases and evidence base, displaying evidence of applying principles of medicines optimisation into practice – ILO 3, 4

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

5. Search, analyse and incorporate health-care evidence into practice
6. Foster and develop skills for quality improvement activities for safe, effective and evidence-based clinical care and prescribing.
7. Collaborate effectively with multi-disciplinary team colleagues, communities of practice, patient groups, and local and national organisations.

Lectures, seminars, practical sessions, web based learning, resource gathering and in-depth reading. Project work.

Preparation and writing for assignments

5. Written account, referencing patient cases and evidence bases, displaying evidence of applying principles of medicines optimisation into practice – ILO1,3, 5

6. Quality improvement activity responding to results of completed audit - ILO 6

7. Structured learning logs and significant event analysis highlighting professional, team and systems issues – ILO 1, 2, 4, 6

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

8. Communicate, reflect and implement change effectively with regard to patient care and significant events in primary care practice
9. Apply initiative and take responsibility as a leader and team player with expertise in medication within the context of a clinical environment
10. Practice using generic professional capabilities which include incorporating ethical and legal frameworks into clinical roles
11. Continue to learn independently and to professionally develop as required for their vocational role

Lectures, seminars, practical sessions, web based learning, resource gathering and in-depth reading. Project work.

Preparation and writing for assignments

9. Portfolio of significant events, patient cases and learning experiences with analysis and evidence that learning needs have been addressed ILO 8, ILO 9, ILO 11

 

10. Quality improvement activity responding to results of completed audit - ILO 6

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Learning Resources The University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Colleges. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions.

 

 IT Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

 

  • University Wellbeing Service - available free of charge, to provide confidential help and support.
  • Student Health Centre - We are a Primary Health Care Centre, primarily funded by the National Health Service, providing care for all acute and long-term health problems for students on the Streatham Campus.
  • Student Services Centre - in the Forum is your first port of call for free, impartial and confidential advice on a range of 12 student services from Accommodation to Finance, Wellbeing to International Student Support, IT to AccessAbility. You can access the SID team 12 hours per day during term time between 8am – 8pm plus 10am – 3pm on Saturdays. Out of term time we are open 9am – 6pm Monday – Friday.
  • The Student Engagement and Skills - team offer support for all students who wish to improve their personal, professional and academic skills, through lectures, workshops, individual appointments and peer support programmes in colleges and interactive online resources on Exeter’s Learning Environment (ELE).
  • Family Centre (Streatham campus)provides high quality care and education for early-years children of students and staff. 
  • Student Advice Centre - : (the Forum) is your first port of call for free, impartial and confidential advice on a range of issues: housing, finance, and academic matters.
  • TheStudents’ Guild is the students’ union of the University of Exeter providing representation, advice, activities, social events, dining outlets and more.  
  • Student complaints procedure.
  • Chaplaincy offers confidential support, advice and pastoral listening for all students.
  • The International Student Support Office supports non UK students across all University of Exeter campuses.    
  • INTO University of Exeter partnership provides English Language and other preparatory courses for international students.
  • AccessAbility offers advice and support to students with specific learning disabilities (eg. dyslexia) and physical disabilities/health conditions. Support includes helping students access learning and teaching opportunities and make the most of university life.
  • Employability and Graduate Developmentthe Career Zone has over 40 staff working to help you improve your chances of getting a great job after you graduate. They provide expert advice to enable you to plan your future through: guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation.

Cornwall only

  • Student health and welfare
  • FXU 
  • Woodlane Day Nurserysituated on the Woodlane Campus the nursery provides early years education and full day care for children from 1 year.  
  • Penryn Campus ChaplaincyThe Multifaith Chaplaincy provides confidential pastoral care to students of all faiths and none - we are here to listen and usually have a ready supply of tea and cake. We provide spiritual support, look after religious needs and we have links to local faith communities. We're also willing to help with faith-related academic projects and we enjoy getting involved in ethical debates, social justice issues and charitable adventures!
  • AccessAbility 
  • TheCareer Zoneis here to help you prepare for life after University by answering your career/postgraduate related queries.  

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

Not applicable to this programme.

18. Final Award

PGDip Clinical Pharmacy

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

19/09/2017

Date of last revision

04/02/2019