Nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy Program
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Please note that all course descriptions below are based on the current topics, requirements, and delivery method of the most recent offering of each course. Course topics, requirements, and format may be subject to change.
490 Special Topics: Infectious Disease Pharmacotherapy, Part 2. 1 cr. This 16-week distance education course is a pilot course. Topics likely to be covered in this course include: surgical prophylaxis, parasitic infections, zoonoses, tuberculosis, CNS infections, nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases (bacterial and viral), sepsis/septic shock/ARDs, GI infections, endocarditis, intraabdominal infection, systemic fungal infections, opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients, and aminoglycoside/vancomycin kinetics. Students will likely be evaluated with case-based quizzes and a final exam. The distance education format for this course is CD-ROM. (Elective Course)
490 Special Topics: Medication Use Safety in Health
Systems. 2-3 crs. This 16-week course is new for the fall of 2001.
The basic course will be 2 credits. The additional credit will be accrued either
through additional hours of lecture content and/or a research project. Lecture
materials will be presented on CD ROM. Interactive discussion sessions will
occur via multiple media techniques (i.e. WebCT, live discussions, etc.). Students
will be provided the theories, outcomes, environment and implications of medication
errors and also an understanding of their (students') role and a call for action
to create an environment of medication use safety. Upon completion of this course,
the student should be able to: 1. Understand the medication use process and
describe potential problem areas. 2. Appreciate the public's perspective regarding
patient safety and define the role of the healthcare provider in building a
safe health system. 3. Describe how errors occur and the consequences to patients,
providers, professionals, employers, society and organizations. 4. Apply the
knowledge and skills learned to any aspect of the healthcare system. 5. Design
systems to prevent, detect and resolve errors. 6. Function as a member or leader
of a team whose responsibility it is to improve the provision of medication
use safety. Content topics include: Epidemiology of ADE's, implications of medication
errors (patient, society, professionals, employers, HC systems), group dynamics,
communication, organizational structure, culture of safety, learn what your
state and national organizations are doing, human factors
research, systems and operations, technology and automation, error reporting
and measurement, root cause analysis, risk management. No exams will be given.
Participation in interactive discussions by individuals and teams will be evaluated.
The course will require 3 written papers. The course will also include a team
project: that will be team presented and team graded. Special requirements:
Computer availability, CD ROM capability, phone line, available for team projects,
available for on site participation if selecting extra credit research, available
for Web CT training. (Elective Course)
550 Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy. 2 cr. This 16-week distance education course addresses the clinical management of disorders of fluid, electrolytes, and acid-base in patients with normal and abnormal homeostatic mechanisms. Also included is parenteral nutritional support. The distance format of the course is delivered using the following distance technologies: print material, email, and an electronic library via the World Wide Web. (Elective Course)
555 Pharmacotherapy I (Pharmacokinetics Module).1 cr. This 8-week distance education course addresses pharmacokinetic principles. By way of material overview, the course builds on prior knowledge, curricular coursework, and experience. The module satisfies the pharmacokinetics competency component of the nontraditional Pharm.D. curriculum. Areas covered will include drug delivery equations, volume of distribution, additivity of doses, therapeutic drug monitoring guidelines, intravenous dosing, steady state kinetics, dose titration, loading doses, estimating and achieving desired serum concentrations, oral dosing principles including bioavailability, area under the curve, clearance, calculating average steady state serum concentrations, dose modification, principles of volume of distribution including protein binding and changes in body composition, principles of hepatic clearance, saturable kinetics, pharmacogenetics, drug dosing in renal disease and during dialysis, hepatic clearance as it relates to drug interactions, Bayesian kinetic principles, conversion from intravenous to oral medications, pediatric dosing, and impact of variations in distribution, metabolism, and excretion on kinetics in the elderly. The course will be delivered usingWeb CT which is a platform for internet-type courses. In addition, there will be a number of audio/graphic lectures provided on CD-ROM. Students will be evaluated with online quizzes/exams. (Required Course)
570 Drug Literature Evaluation. 2 cr. This 8-week distance education course addresses the fundamentals of literature evaluation to enable students to make decisions regarding the clinical use of drugs. An 8-9 hour face-to-face session is required. The course is designed to increase the student's ability to use published biomedical literature. Critical thinking and problem solving are two essential skills necessary to meet this goal. These areas will be emphasized throughout the course. Communication skills will also be emphasized. After completing the course, the student should be able to: 1) Prepare an abstract (annotation) of a biomedical journal article. 2) Conduct a literature search on a biomedical topic. 3) Correctly answer a disease therapy question. 4) Evaluate a new drug technology for use in a health system. 5) Critically assess the design of a clinical trial. 6) Identify ethical strengths and weaknesses of epidemiologic and clinical economic research. 7) Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of epidemiologic and clinical economic research. 8) Understand the fundamental concepts of clinical economics (pharmacoeconomics). 9) Understand the role of drug policy development in health systems. The distance education format of the course is videotape, telephone conferencing, and the internet. (Required Course)
670 Veterinary Therapeutics. 1 cr. This 16-week distance education course will be offered for the first time in the spring 2001 semester. Topics covered in the course include: An overview of the veterinary profession, drug distribution and regulation, laws pertaining to veterinary drugs, drug dosage and design, comparative pharmacology, dosage determination, toxicology, zoonoses, management of ectoparasites and endoparasites, antibiotic use, feed additives, drug residues, nutritional therapy, electrolyte therapy, hormonal therapy, reproduction therapy, behavioral management, anesthesia, analgesics, sedation, euthenasia, neurology, vaccines and biologicals, dermatology, EENT, endocrine therapy, cardiology, chemotherapy, and GI therapies. The distance education format of the course will be CD-ROM. There will be a final exam for the course. (Elective Course)
672 Special Topics: Herbals, Homeopathy, and Dietary Supplements: Usage and Effects. 2 cr. This 16-week course is new. The first offering of the course is planned for spring 2001. Course requirements are as follows: 1. Topic specific learning objectives that will be used as the basis for examination questions, 2. Selected readings which will be included in the course pack, 3. Lectures on CD. 4. WebCT quizzes. 5. Two examinations. Topics likely to be covered in the course include: Regulatory and other issues, antioxidants, fatty acids, homeopathic products, plus alternative medication use in the areas of neuro-psych, cardiopulmonary, women's/men's health, arthritis, immune system modulation, GI, antiinfectives, cancer, musculo-skeletal, performance enhancement, and weight loss. (Elective Course)
675 Women's Health Pharmacotherapy. 2 cr. This 16-week distance education course will be available in the spring semester. The course will place an emphasis upon the pharmacotherapy of disease prevention and treatment of illneses that are more prevalent in women than in men. Topics covered will include: characterisitics of pharmacokinetics and dynamics in women, disease prevention strategies, health promotion, gynecologic problems, problems of the genito-urinary tract, issues of reproduction, management of acute and chronic illnesses in women who are pregnant or lactating, common cardiovascular problems, metabolic and endocrine abnormalities, mental health issues, and neurologic problems. This course will be taught as a live teleconference for distance students. Students will be evaluated by; 1. two proctored quizzes on basic content (no comprehensive final exam), 2. two written information questions including brief presentations to the class, 3. completion of 10 virtual clinic visits using WebCT to submit SOAP notes in the format prescribed by the School of Pharmacy, and 4. attendance at and participation in the live teleconferences. (Elective Course)
710 Geriatric Pharmacotherapy. 2 cr. This 16-week distance education course emphasizes the pharmacologic management of conditions common in the elderly and the medically complicated geriatric patient. The course will also address social, ethical, and education issues influencing the care of the older adult. More specifically the course topics include: The biology of aging, aging demographics, geriatric assessment, pharmacokinetic/dynamic changes, adverse drug events, communication and adherence, ethics, hypertension, CHF and arrhythmias, obstructive lung disease, infectious disease, immunology, mobility and falls, osteoporosis, nutrition, insomnia, diabetes, thryoid disorders, incontinence, delirium, memory disorders, dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease), depression, anxiety, constipation, pain, Parkinson's Disease, osteoarthritis, long term care, state and federal entitlements, and disease prevention/screening. The course will be delivered using CD-ROM technology, teleconferencing, and print media. Students will be evaluated with 2 examinations (not comprehensive) and 2 SOAP note exercises. (Elective Course)
720 Respiratory Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 4-week distance education course will address in detail the various aspects of the pharmacotherapy of respiratory diseases. Topics include: Interpretation of blood gases, pulmonary route of administration, parts 1 and 2, pharmacotherapy of asthma, parts 1 and 2, management of acute asthma exacerbations, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking cessation, respiratory disease of the neonate, cystic fibrosis, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolus/deep vein thrombosis. The distance education format of the course will be delivered using the following distance learning technologies: CD-ROM and teleconferencing. Student competency will be evaluated with a comprehensive final exam. (Required Course)
721 Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 4-week distance education course will address, in detail, the various aspects of the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases. Specifically, topics include: Hyperlipidemia, management of hypertension, parts 1 and 2, hypertensive emergencies and urgencies, angina pectoris, acute coronary syndromes, congestive heart failure, acute/severe heart failure, arrythmias, and anticoagulation. The course will be delivered using the following distance learning technologies: CD-ROM and teleconferencing. Student competency will be assessed with a comprehensive final exam. (Required Course)
722 Gastrointestinal Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 4 -week distance education course addresses the pharmacotherapy of gastrointestinal disorders including upper GI bleeds, stress ulcers, drug induced gastropathy, drug induced liver disease, peptic ulcer disease, nutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, diarrhea, hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, GERD, viral hepatitis, and pancreatitis. Issues of appropriate clinical indication, monitoring, toxicity, and pharmacoeconomics will be addressed. . The course will be delivered using the following distance learning technologies: CD-ROM and teleconferencing. Students are evaluated with three required assignments plus a comprehensive final examination. During past offerings of this course, the final exam has been an open book exercise that is emailed to the student and has a required return date. Course topics and requirements may be subject to change. (Required Course)
723 Renal Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 16-week distance education course will address in detail the various aspects of the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of renal diseases. Content topics in the course include: renal anatomy, physiology and function, acid-base problems, fluid and electrolyte problems including the effects of diuretics, glomerular diseases, diabetes, acute renal failure, drug-induced renal disease, chronic renal failure, and antibiotics in dialysis patients. Student competency will be evaluated utilizing a mid-term and final examination, leadership of the discussion of an assigned case that each student will present using WebCT, and general class participation evaluating patient cases that illustrate course content. WebCT is the platform for this student and faculty discussion. In past years, there has been a required text and additional readings. (Required Course)
724 Infectious Disease Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 4-week distance education course will address in detail the various aspects of the pharmacotherapy of infectious diseases. Topics currently include: An overview of common pathogens and antibiotics, antibiotic pharmacokinetics and dynamics, antibiotic adverse effects and interactions, antibiotic resistance, management of upper respiratory infections, UTIs, skin and soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, lower respiratory tract infections, cutaneous and mucocutaneous fungal infections, and HIV infection. The course will be delivered using the following distance education technologies: CD-ROM and teleconferencing. Students will be evaluated through the use of 6 quizzes (short answer and fill-in-the-blank) that will be emailed to students and must be returned within 48 hours to the course professor. Student competency will be evaluated with a comprehensive final exam. Course topics and requirements may be subject to change. (Required Course)
725 Immunology Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 4-week distance education course will address in detail the various aspects of the pharmacotherapy of immunologic, allergic, and rheumatologic diseases. Topics include an overview of immunology, transplantation, tumor immunology, immunizations, hypersensitivity, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile RA, SLE, gout, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia. Use of NSAIDs, corticosteroids and biologicals will also be addressed. Issues of appropriate clinical indication, monitoring, toxicity, and pharmacoeconomics will be addressed. The course will be delivered using the following distance learning technologies: CD-ROM and telephone conferencing. In past years, student competency has been evaluated with a comprehensive final exam. (Required Course)
726 Hematology-Oncology Pharmacotherapy. 1cr. This 4-week distance education course will address issues related to the biology of cancer, staging, diagnosis and various treatment options. The course will examine the cause and management of anemias and thrombocytopenia as sequelae of cancer and the chemotherapy employed to treat the malignancy. The course will address the pharmacologic management of cancer pain, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, and febrile neutropenia. The course addresses the pharmacacologic management of specific cancers such as colon, lung, breast, and prostate. The course addresses the management of the leukemias and lymphomas including the role of bone marrow transplantation as a treatment modality for these and other malignancies. Lastly, the course addresses issues related to the administration of antineoplastic agents. The course will be delivered using the following distance learning technologies: CD-ROM and teleconferencing. Student competency will be evaluated with a comprehensive final exam. (Required Course)
727 Neuropsychiatric Pharmacotherapy. 1 cr. This 4-week distance education course will address in detail the various aspects of the pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric diseases. Specifically, topics include: Epilepsy, parts 1 and 2, status epilepticus, stroke, migraine, Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, parts 1 and 2, depression, parts 1 and 2, sleep, and pain management. The distance education format of the course will be delivered using the following distance learning technologies: CD-ROM and telephone conferencing. Student competency will be evaluated with a comprehensive final exam. (Required Course)
740 Acute Pharmaceutical Care Clerkship. 4 cr. This 4-week full-time (40 hrs. per week) clerkship will take place in an acute care practice setting (hospital). This course was created to foster the development of professional competence by utilizing practice based experiences that require a sound academic background in the basic and clinical sciences. The student is expected to provide, under supervision of a preceptor, clinical and distributive pharmacy services to the patients on the student's service. This includes attending daily work rounds, monitoring drug therapy, providing drug information, performing medication histories, performing discharge counseling, and assisting in drug distribution. The student will make formal and informal presentations, will write up drug information questions, and will write SOAP notes. There will be faculty conference sessions and students will be expected to attend medical seminars such as grand rounds. (Required)
741 Ambulatory Pharmaceutical Care Clerkship. 4 cr. This 4-week full-time (40 hours per week) or 8-week part-time (20 hours per week) clerkship will take place in an ambulatory outpatient clinic. Objectives of the clerkship include: 1. Demonstrate comprehension of the pathophysiology, relevant anatomy, physical assessment and diagnostic criteria, prognosis, and management of specific disease states and conditions associated with the ambulatory patient population. 2. Develop and monitor a management plan. 3. Integrate home monitoring information with the treatment plan and educate patients on the proper use of home monitoring equipment or supplies. 4. Identify medication related problems and intervene to correct. 5. Communicate therapeutic recommendations to prescribers. 6. Perform medication distribution related activities. 7. Identify, evaluate, and solve barriers to expanded ambulatory clinical pharmacy services. 8. Apply quality assurance strategies to the ambulatory setting. 9. Utilize computer systems at the clerkship site. 10. Become familiar with documentation and reimbursement systems for clinical services. 11. Provide drug information to patients and health professionals using verbal and writing skills. 12. Perform accurate medication and health histories. 13. Recommend self-care regimens including OTCs. 14. Identify alcohol and other substance abuse and consider potential intervention strategies. (Required)
760 Advanced Pharmacy Specialty Clerkship. 4 cr. This 4-week full-time (40 hours per week) or 8-week part-time (20 hours per week) clerkship may take place in either an acute care setting or ambulatory setting. The course builds on prior didactic course work in: drug literature evaluation, clinical pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapy. Students are expected to provide pharmaceutical care under the supervision of an instructor. The course philosophy is to integrate students into the pharmaceutical care system existing in the assigned site. Specific student activities are guided by site specific course competencies. Emphasis is placed on adapting pharmaceutical care to meet the unique qualities and needs of the specific site. This course is designed to foster further development of professional independence while still being supervised by the site instructor. Students will continue to develop their writing and verbal communication skills. The clerkship sites will provide the student with experience in prescription/order processing, managing drug distribution systems, performing and using medication histories, assuming responsibility for implementing drug therapy plans and monitoring, educating and counseling patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. Live discussions with the faculty may be require. (Required and elective)
063:161 Introduction to Biostatistics. 3 cr. This course is approved by the School of Pharmacy, is available through the University of Iowa by correspondence, and satisfies the Biostatistics requirement in the Nontraditional Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum. See accompanying information.
Modified: March 1, 2001