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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Pharmacist Independent Prescribing
Reference	PHM028	Version	7
Created	August 2021	SCQF Level	SCQF 11
Approved	May 2011	SCQF Points	30
Amended	September 2021	ECTS Points	15

Aims of Module
To prepare pharmacists to meet the standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council for annotation to the register as independent prescriber.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1	Demonstrate, through systematic application, professional ability in the development and maintenance of effective interpersonal communication relevant to prescribing, including an understanding of the influences on and psychology of prescribing.
2	Show evidence of professional ability in the systematic and judicious application of knowledge and understanding pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology and evidence based therapeutics for specified disorders to prescribe safely and effectively for patients taking account of their wishes and values.
3	Interpret and critically appraise a wide variety of sources of information, including medical history, physical examination, physiological monitoring to aid drug selection and monitoring for individual patients.
4	Reflect and critically evaluate on their role as a pharmacist prescriber focussing on the legal, ethical, governance and professional frameworks that underpin pharmacist prescribing.
5	Demonstrate a critical understanding and application of the skills, concepts and knowledge of evidence based practice in a professional/vocational context at an individual, local and national level.

Indicative Module Content
Evidence based practice, critical appraisal skills, clinical guidelines, protocols, policies, decision support systems and formularies, clinical governance, clinical audit, risk assessment, risk management, medication errors, ethics, pharmacovigilance. Inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of medicines. Accurate and effective communication with patients, carers, and other members of the health care team. Building and maintaining effective relationships, limitations, consultation models, concordance, compliance, shared decision making, teamworking. Patient demand versus patient need, cultural and ethical needs, external influences at individual, local and national level, awareness of own personal attitudes and influence on prescribing practice. Legal, regulatory and professional frameworks for medical and non-medical prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. Record keeping, documentation, professional responsibility, writing prescriptions. Reflective practice, awareness of own limitations, continuing professional development. Pathophysiology, natural history and progression of. Evidence based therapeutics and clinical pharmacology of drugs used to treat. Use of patient data, including physical examination, physiological, biochemical and haematological parameters. Selection of therapy, factors influencing prescribing decisions including patients characteristics and drug factors (adverse drug reactions, drug interactions), aspects of pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics. Management options including non-drug treatment. Use of common diagnostic aids. Recognising and responding to common signs and symptoms indicative of clinical problems.

Indicative Module Content

Evidence based practice, critical appraisal skills, clinical guidelines, protocols, policies, decision support systems and formularies, clinical governance, clinical audit, risk assessment, risk management, medication errors, ethics, pharmacovigilance. Inappropriate prescribing and inappropriate use of medicines. Accurate and effective communication with patients, carers, and other members of the health care team. Building and maintaining effective relationships, limitations, consultation models, concordance, compliance, shared decision making, teamworking. Patient demand versus patient need, cultural and ethical needs, external influences at individual, local and national level, awareness of own personal attitudes and influence on prescribing practice. Legal, regulatory and professional frameworks for medical and non-medical prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. Record keeping, documentation, professional responsibility, writing prescriptions. Reflective practice, awareness of own limitations, continuing professional development. Pathophysiology, natural history and progression of. Evidence based therapeutics and clinical pharmacology of drugs used to treat. Use of patient data, including physical examination, physiological, biochemical and haematological parameters. Selection of therapy, factors influencing prescribing decisions including patients characteristics and drug factors (adverse drug reactions, drug interactions), aspects of pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics. Management options including non-drug treatment. Use of common diagnostic aids. Recognising and responding to common signs and symptoms indicative of clinical problems.

Module Delivery
The module is delivered in distance learning mode by self-directed learning from web based learning materials including self-assessment questions with feedback. Practical elements of this module will be delivered during a residential period and further developed through the period of learning in practice.

Indicative Student Workload	Full Time	Part Time
Contact Hours	N/A	35
Non-Contact Hours	N/A	175
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours	N/A	90
TOTAL	N/A	300
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body		90

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type:	Examination	Weighting:	100%	Outcomes Assessed:	2, 3
Description:	One case study.
Component 2
Type:	Coursework	Weighting:	0%	Outcomes Assessed:	1, 2, 3
Description:	Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This will be assessed on a Pass/ Fail basis.
Component 3
Type:	Coursework	Weighting:	0%	Outcomes Assessed:	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description:	Period of Learning in Practice portfolio assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
To pass this module, the student must achieve a module Grade of Grade D or better.
Module Grade	Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A	When C1 = A and C2 and C3 are passed
B	When C1 = B and C2 and C3 are passed
C	When C1 = C and C2 and C3 are passed
D	When C1 = D and C2 and C3 are passed
E	When C1 = E and C2 and C3 are passed
F	When C1 = F AND/OR C2 AND/OR C3 are failed
NS	Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module	Completion of or current progression toward completion of a GPhC accredited non-medical prescribing course.
Corequisites for module	None.
Precluded Modules	None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1	BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND ROYAL PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN, 2022. British National Formulary. Current edition. London: BMJ Publishing Group.
2	LONGMORE, J., 2017. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine Current edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3	DOUGLAS, G., NICOL, F., Robertson, C., eds., 2018. Macleod's Clinical Examination. Current edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingston.
4	HASLETT, C., CHILVERS, E., BOON, N., COLLEDGE, N., HUNTER, J., eds., 2018. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. Current edition. London: Churchill Livingston.

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

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