Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401182

Coordinator Sean Sadler Opens in new window

Description This subject will cover the pharmacological foundations and principles of drugs with a particular emphasis on those that may be prescribed by podiatrists upon appropriate qualification, including indications, contraindications, drug-drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. Student knowledge of national legislation relating to the effective and safe use of drugs will be developed, alongside an understanding of the process for obtaining prescribing rights and the attendant responsibilities. Upon successful completion of this subject and registration as a podiatrist, students will be eligible to seek further training to gain endorsement to prescribe.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Podiatry

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NATS 2008

Co-requisite(s) REHA 3028

Restrictions

The subject is Podiatry specific and restricted only to students enrolled in programs 4708 Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine and 4709 Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours). The subject involves pharmacology in the context of podiatric clinical practice. Students will be building on previous clinical skills and knowledge in the podiatry program.

Assumed Knowledge

Completion of all core subjects to this semester year of study.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Interpret the legal, regulatory frameworks, and guidelines related to the safe and effective use of medicines available to endorsed podiatrists.
2. Explain the physiology and pathophysiology of body systems relevant to the use of medicines. 
3. Differentiate the classification, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of prescription and non-prescription medicines.
4. Describe the role of Traditional and complimentary medicines in the management of health and disease and provision of culturally responsive podiatry practice.
5. Utilise safe, effective, and person-centred assessments to assist in the diagnosis of conditions requiring pharmacological management. 
6. Develop culturally responsive and person-centred treatment plans, which include both prescription and non-prescription management options, to safely and effectively manage a diverse range of podiatric conditions. 
7. Explain safe and effective methods to monitor and review medicines and ways to manage adverse drug reactions and interactions. 

Subject Content

1. General Pharmacology

• Pharmokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Prescribing drugs and drug prescription protocols
• Minimising drug abuse
• Management and processes related to adverse drug reactions
• Polypharmacy

2. Anti-infective agents 

• General principles and mode of action.
• Specific drug actions.
• Indications, actions and contra-indications of commonly prescribed antibiotics, anti-mycotic agents and anti-viral agents.

3. Analgesics, anaesthetics and anti-emetics

• General principles and mode of action of general and local anaesthetics.
• Specific drug actions.
• Indications, actions and contra-indications of commonly administered anaesthetic agents.

4. Complications 

• General adverse reactions
• Pain management -physiological theories of pain and subsequent management strategies.

5. National Legislation

• Quality Use of Medicines
• National Medicines Policy
• Therapeutic Guidelines
• National prescribing pathways for health professionals

6. Prescription of drugs in Podiatry

• Theories of prescription rights
• Pathways to Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines. 
• S2, S3, S4 and S8 drugs