This module provides students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to practice as independent and supplementary prescribers, in particular in relation to the legal framework for prescribing and issues relating to accountability and responsibility.  The module also enables the student to develop an understanding of the pharmacology that underpins their chosen scope of practice so they are able to adjust drug doses as part of safe and effective prescribing.  Finally, students cover monitoring of responses to prescribing as well as developing awareness of other influences on prescribing practice enabling them to identify and evaluate management options within their scope practice. 

Learning Outcomes

1. A systematic understanding of the legal and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing in the context of the national and local health service.
2. A comprehensive understanding of the appropriate use of documentation in the context of their development as a prescriber and in the governance framework of the NHS
3. A systematic understanding of national and local frameworks for medicines use including budgetary constraints at national and local level.
4. A comprehensive understanding of human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics and ow these may be altered in certain patient groups including children
5. An in depth understanding of drug interactions and the ability to develop methodologies to manage drug interactions and the ability to develop methodologies to manage drug interactions within your specialist area of practice
6. A comprehensive understanding of how to use assessment skills as part of a structured consultation to obtain and record a comprehensive medical history inform a working diagnosis and differential diagnosis within the students area of specialist practice
7. A conceptual understanding of how to formulate safe, effective and appropriate options for the management of individual patients and critically evaluate the evidence within the context of a patient
8. A conceptual understanding of the principles and methods of monitoring patient response to prescribed treatment and managing change within the clinical management plan including communication and negotiation with others involved in patient care.  This includes consideration of the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults. 
9. Critical insight into the influences on prescribing in nation, local and individual level including factors which impact concordance and patient adherence. 

Assessment

Summative – Exam, evidence based assignment, practical assessment of prescribing exam

Portfolio 

Further details provided at the start of the module

This module can contribute to the following programme(s)

P14301: Post graduate Diploma Community Specialist Practice: District Nursing (Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Route – 12 Month)