MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (NLHPE Ref. No.: )

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1 MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (NLHPE Ref. No.: ) Application Code: 1450-HS073A Programme/Course Code: HS073A / HS (61) (for enquiries) 1. Features of the MSc Clinical Pharmacy The programme has been conducted since 2004 with the first cohort graduated in November During the course, you will cover principles of clinical pharmacy and a range of therapeutic areas. These include cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, endocrine, dermatology, infections, dermatology, CNS, oncology and palliative care. The Masters project allows you to research an area of particular personal interest and relevance to your practice. We welcome applications from registered pharmacists working within hospital, primary care and community settings. This course is run on a mainly distance-learning basis, to allow people working full-time to balance their studies with other commitments. In addition to distance-learning, you will also attend study sessions held throughout the year. Minimal class attendance on weekends only and learning materials hosted on SunSpace for ready access. Updated study materials based on latest clinical guidelines prepared and reviewed by clinical pharmacy educators. 100% taught by full-time staff from the University of Sunderland who have extensive hospital and/or community practice experience. Assessment by coursework and examination. Dedicated administrative and library support provided by HKU SPACE. Intermediate exit pathways at Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma stages. Committed to ensuring a high success rate at the final year project stage. 2. Introduction Pharmacy practice has undergone much change, resulting in the need for advanced training programmes in the new areas. The main paradigm of pharmacy practice has shifted in recent years towards embracing more patient-oriented approaches to professional practice. Practicing pharmacists in both hospitals and community pharmacy need to develop skills of 1

2 pharmaceutical care to support those developments in their workplace. This demand drives the growth of clinical pharmacy which has become a well-established area of pharmaceutical expertise. To prepare pharmacists for the new challenges brought about by the above developments, HKU SPACE in association with the University of Sunderland offers the MSc specialized in clinical pharmacy. The programme is delivered locally without the need for the student to travel to UK. 3. Pharmacy Education in the University of Sunderland The University of Sunderland is one of UK s oldest polytechnics and became university in It has a long history of teaching pharmacology since 1921 and pharmacy programmes have been offered since the 1960s. Apart from receiving such accolades as Best New University in England in 2001 by Guardian University Guide and Best New University for Research in 2001 by The Times, University of Sunderland is ranked ahead of other new universities (former polytechnics) and some old universities in the 2011 Guardian University Ranking (52 out of 118 institutions). Pharmacy programmes are offered by the Sunderland Pharmacy School under the Faculty of Applied Sciences. In the subject review conducted by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, the quality of pharmacy and pharmacology education at the University of Sunderland is assessed to be excellent (22/24 points). The Guardian subject ranking for pharmacy and pharmacology in 2011 gave it a rank of 20 in UK. Sunderland has an excellent reputation for pharmacy. Its Department is ranked No.6 in the UK according to The Guardian University Guide 2013, and its academic team produces worldleading research, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014). 4. Aims and Objectives The overall aims and objectives of the programme are: To develop students clinical knowledge base, expertise and skills in evidence-based practice, specialist therapeutic areas and continue their professional development. To provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of disease processes and the principles underlying the rationale use of medicines in the treatment of disease. To widen access to postgraduate study in the management of medications. To develop research skills and to enable students to use these skills in the design and implementation of research projects. To encourage students to become independent learners with the necessary skills to undertake continuing professional development throughout their careers in pharmacy or medicines management. To develop pharmacists clinical expertise and knowledge and also their understanding of the practice of clinical pharmacy. 2

3 5. Course Structure and Progression The programme follows the standard UK postgraduate credit tariff system and stages of academic award. Completion of 60M credits leads to a Postgraduate Certificate; accumulation of 120M credits leads to the Postgraduate Diploma; and the MSc requires completion of 180M credits. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMME CURRICULUM IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Clinical Pharmacy PG Certificate, PG Diploma and MSc Level 1 Postgraduate Certificate Clinical Pharmacy Title Credits Clinical Pharmacy 1: Background principles 30 Clinical Pharmacy 2: Gastrointestinal therapeutics, Cardiovascular therapeutics, Respiratory therapeutics 30 Level 2 Postgraduate Diploma Clinical Pharmacy Title Clinical Pharmacy 3: Endocrine, Central nervous system and infectious disease therapeutics Clinical Pharmacy 4: Palliative care and oncology, rheumatology and dermatology therapeutics Credits Level 3 MSc Clinical Pharmacy Title Credits Research Methods 30 Research Project Module Outlines The contents of the modules for previous years are listed below for reference: Clinical Pharmacy 1 This module will teach evidence based medicine, clinical audit and clinical biochemistry and haematology. Clinical Pharmacy 2 This module will teach gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular therapeutics and will consider the disease processes in common clinical conditions. Students can expect an 3

4 introduction to relevant pathology, the rationale underlying the treatment of these conditions and the choice of therapy for individual patients. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and the evidence base underpinning choices will be discussed in detail. The appropriate use of tests and investigations used to monitor these conditions will be considered. Clinical Pharmacy 3 This module will teach endocrine disorder, neurological and psychiatric disease and infectious disease therapeutics and will consider the disease processes in common clinical conditions, including introduction to relevant pathology, the rationale underlying the treatment of these conditions and the choice of therapy for individual patients. This will include the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and the evidence base underpinning choice of treatment for individual patients. Tests and investigations use to monitor these conditions will be considered. Clinical Pharmacy 4 The module will include a study of palliative care and oncology, rheumatology and dermatology therapeutics especially the treatment of pain including rational choice of analgesia and the evidence base underpinning treatment choice. Common cancers, diseases in rheumatology and dermatological disease and their treatment will be studied. Research Methods The module provides the students with the ability to study in depth the concepts of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Topics associated with the module include: collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, scientific method, hypothesis testing, experimental design, sampling, ethical issues, techniques of measurement and statistical analysis, interviewing skills and questionnaire design. The module will also include the use of information technology and further development of communication skills. Research Project This module seeks to develop the student s ability to undertake investigative research in one of a number of clinical fields. The work of this module will build upon the skills developed in Research Methods and will enable the student to further develop their research protocols and to undertake an investigative study based on their previous developmental work. The oral presentation will enable students to develop their organizational and presentation skills, as well as their ability to respond to peer enquiry. The written report will develop the student s written and analytical skills. 7. Teaching and Assessment This is a distance-learning programme with minor teaching by visiting lecturers from the University of Sunderland. The programme will be delivered in open-learning format. This is a specific mixture of face-to face study days with keynote lectures, seminars and workshops as well as the use of extensive distance learning workbooks and SunSpace. Tutorials serve as a focus for group interaction in clarifying and developing arguments which are anticipated to feed into students individual coursework and presentations. Assessment is by a combination of coursework, clinical audit, portfolio of evidence, examination, oral presentations and dissertation. 4

5 8. Administrative Support and Learning Resources The programme is administered by the Pharmaceutical Studies programme team in HKU SPACE which will provide localized support to all students registered in the HK programme. Students will have full access, including borrowing rights, to the University of HK Libraries. They are expected to make extensive use of medical journal resources and electronic databases at the Medical Library. All students are expected to have their own access to computers and the internet. 9. Entry Requirements Applicants should meet the following requirements: A minimum of lower second class honours degree in pharmacy or equivalent and registration as pharmacist in Hong Kong. Pharmacists who studied in countries that do not automatically award honours at Bachelors degree level may also apply, provided they are registered as a pharmacist in Hong Kong. If the degree is from an university where the language of teaching and assessment is not in English, applicants shall provide evidence of English proficiency, such as an overall band of 6.0 or above with no subtests lower than 6.0 in the IELTS or TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent qualifications. 10. Award The awards will be conferred by the University of Sunderland and is similar in all respects to the same award conferred in UK. Students who obtain an intermediate award of Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma will be required to surrender the previous award before the MSc can be conferred. 11. Date of Commencement Orientation and teaching are expected to start in October Time and Venue Tutorials will be conducted on alternate months, and/or intensive block teaching on Saturday afternoons and evenings /Sunday delivered by University of Sunderland lecturers. On average, there will be one to two 3-hour tutorial session every two months. Classes will be held in HKU SPACE learning centres. 5

6 13. Fees Application fee: Course fee: HK$150 (non-refundable) HK$92,000 paid by 3 instalments. 1 st instalment: $34,000 2 nd instalment: $31,000 3 rd instalment: $27,000 Where a student exits at either the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma stage and is granted permission to return to the programme, he/she will be required to pay course fee at the prevailing rate and not the course fee applicable at the time of his/her first registration in the programme. 14. Application Deadline 30 June 2016 Non-Local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance This course is an exempted course under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead. 6