Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Clinical Pharmacology

Clinical Pharmacology
3
12106
5
Second semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Teaching staff


Students may ask lecturers questions at the end of each class. For enquiries outside of class time, students must make an appointment by email:

 

Dr Lluis Sànchez i Sitjes   Email: lluissanchez@uic.es
General Hospital of Catalonia. Internal Medicine Office, 4th floor

 

Dr. José Gregorio Zorrilla: jgzorrilla@uic.es

Dr. Javier César Herranz: jcherranz@uic.es

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.


Pharmacology is one of the most relevant disciplines for medical professionals of any specialty. Its knowledge is already being developed in the first semester of the third year. The subject of clinical pharmacology is not intended to be a repetition of what is already explained in depth, and by pharmacology specialists. We try to focus more on the review of practical aspects of the use of drugs, their indications, their risks and the usual dosage of the most common pharmacological groups, without insisting on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects.

Pre-course requirements

To have passed the subjects of pharmacology and semiology and physiopathogenesis, and it is advisable for you to have completed most of the specific medical and surgical subjects.

Objectives

To master the main pharmacological groups regarding indications, adverse reactions and dosage.

 

To relate the most important interactions of the main pharmacological groups.

 

To master the use of treatments not specifically pharmacological but vital in the handling of different pathologies (serum, oxygen, perfusion ...).

 

To understand the peculiarities of less common medications.

 

To master the art of prescription and to correctly communicate the patients / relatives.

 

To build a global vision of the prescription and the pharmacological treatment of patients.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • 12 - Understanding the foundations for action, the indications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
  • 18 - To indicate the most appropriate (pharmacological, surgical, psychological, social or other) treatments that are pertinent to the most prevalent procedures, in terms of rehabilitation and also terminally ill patients, including an evaluation of their effectiveness.
  • 23 - Communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing with patients, family members, media and other professionals.
  • 32 - Know how to use information and communication technology in clinical, therapeutic, preventive health care and research.

Learning outcomes of the subject

1.     Knowing the indications and dosage of the most common drugs in primary care and hospital emergency.

2.     Practicing the handling of common non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies in acute pathology (serum therapy, oxygen therapy).

3.     Recognizing the most relevant adverse effects of common medications.

4.     Recognizing the pathological situations that may be caused by adverse effects of drugs.

5.     Compiling the necessary patient medication data and to be able to rationalize the therapeutic strategy based on indications, interactions and possible adverse effects.

Syllabus

CM 1: Introduction. Anxiolytics / hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics.

 

Treatments in urology.

 

CM 2: Antiepileptics: uses inside and outside the epilepsy.

 

            Parkinson's and Alzheimer's treatment.

 

CM 3: Pain management: analgesics, NSAIDs, minor opiate and major.

 

CM 4: Corticoids. Antihistamines FAMEs. Most common immunosuppressants. Biological.

 

CM 5: Anti-infectious agents: antibacterial ("antibiotics").

 

CM 6: Antivirals: flu, herpes, HIV, hepatitis B and C. Antiparasitic agents.

 

CM 7: Oral hypoglycaemics. Hyper / hypothyroidism Practical aspects of contraception.

 

MC 1: Treatment of COPD / Asthma as a whole.

 

MC 2: Cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, hyperuricemia).

 

MC 3: Heart failure and ischemic heart disease.

 

MC 4: Treatment of the most common digestive pathology. Gastroprotection.

 

MC 5: Anticoagulants (ACOs, NACOs, heparins) and antiaggregant.

 

MC 6: Iron and vitamins (B9, B12, D). Osteoporosis.

 

MC 7: Pharmacological interactions. Strategies to stop medication treatment.

 

LH 1: Steroids, colloids and insulin guidelines. Practical aspects of the transfusion.

 

LH 2: Oxygen therapy (ventimask and high concentration); Most common continuous perfusions (amiodarone, furosemide, vasoactive amines).

Teaching and learning activities

In blended



3 different face-to-face methodologies will be used:

Case method: students, in small groups, discuss clinical cases in class that are provided to them, with the guidance and supervision of the teacher.

Skills Laboratory: Clinical situations are constructed in the hospital clinical simulation laboratory to facilitate the understanding of the use of drugs and non-pharmacological therapies in special situations.

Virtual teaching: teaching material provided on the intranet by the teacher.

 

It is possible that some Case Methods include some virtual material to prepare previously or later by the students, professor responsible of the same will dictate it.

 

The Lectures, in which the teacher transmits the knowledge in a class to the whole group of students, due to the current circumstances of the pandemic, will be broadcast online, always at the previously established time and by the responsible teacher. Students will connect to the Collaborate platform and will be able to follow the syllabus through it. The classes will also be recorded during the semester so that they can be viewed when necessary by the students using the same Moodle platform.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In blended



Evaluation systems:

 1.     Final exam: multiple choice, 4 options per question. Type MIR (wrong question discounted 0.33). 85% of the final mark.

2.     Virtual learning: 15% of the final mark.

You must obtain a grade = o > 5 in the Final (Test), in order to add the % of virtual learning.

The numerical grade will correspond directly to the final result. No type of modality will be accepted that allows modifying the qualification once the final result has been calculated.

 

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 28/05/2021 14:00h
  • E2 12/07/2021 14:00h

Teaching and learning material