The module enables students to synthesise underpinning principles and apply these to developing simulated independent prescribing practice drawing upon appropriate clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of prescribing decisions including effective communication. Students will extend their use of appropriate diagnostic skills and decision making as part of simulated and immersive learning. Learning strategies in theory and practice are designed to develop a critical, personalised approach towards safe and effective prescribing using appropriate problem-solving and recognising boundaries. Their practice will be based on the recognition and application of appropriate national or local therapeutic guidelines and governance.
This module is designed to be:
(1) Co-requisite with the modules Prescribing: Scientific Principles and Practice (Module 1) and Prescribing: Structured Reflective Portfolio (Module 3) to meet the requirements for an accredited programme for independent non-medical prescriber status (according to each relevant professional body, GPhC, NMC, HCPC).
(2) a self-standing CPD module to provide extended knowledge and understanding of the medical prescribing process (to service existing prescribers wishing to develop their knowledge base or those who do not necessarily prescribe but are involved with a medicines management process).
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with patients or carers to gain an accurate patient history with a patient-centred approach to shared decision-making that considers all treatment, management and support options including social prescribing or a decision not to prescribe. Demonstrated through lectures, workshops; assessed with case based - discussions, significant event analysis, OSCEs
Demonstrate the process of differential diagnostic decision-making based on a range of commonly occurring signs and symptoms including relevant clinical assessment, appropriate use of common diagnostic equipment and identification of red flags. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed wit, significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment, OSCE
Make an independent formulation of an accurate working diagnosis and safe simulated independent prescribing decision, including clinical assessment, monitoring, safety checks and follow up, recognising and responding appropriately to factors that may influence prescribing. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed with significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment, OSCE
Critically analyse potential and simulated independent prescribing decisions, appraising options, drawing on a systematic review of evidence based sources which are accessed and utilised to support safe and effective prescribing practice. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed with case-based discussion, significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment
Develop an appropriate clinical management plan, generating accurate prescriptions if appropriate with effective and timely record-keeping, demonstrating the ability to distinguish between independent and supplementary prescribing. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed with significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment
Appraise the role of the multi-disciplinary team in ensuring continuity of care and safe, effective independent prescribing decisions. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed with significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment
Demonstrate ability to practice within the limits of professional competence (including appropriate referral, consultation and guidance seeking). Demonstrated though workshops; assessed with significant event analysis with clinical management DPP assessment, OSC
Critical application of public health, legal, ethical, professional, audit and governance frameworks in the prescribing process. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed with significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment, OSCE
Critically reflect on personal prescribing practice referring to RPS (2021) Competency Framework for all Prescribers, professional regulatory guidance and codes of practice to demonstrate an understanding of the accountability and responsibility that prescribing entails with critical awareness of personal limitations. Demonstrated through workshops; assessed with significant event analysis with clinical management, DPP assessment, OSCE
Assessments:
All assessments are held in accordance with the General regulations for Postgraduate Programmes.
In any assessment, a failure to identify a serious problem or an answer which would cause the patient harm will result in overall failure of the module. Re-application to the module will be considered on a ‘case by case’ basis.
If the module is being taken as part of the Practice Certificate in Independent Prescribing this would mean an overall failure of the programme.
1. Three station OSCE examination – 3 manned stations Pass/Fail required component (0% of module mark) (50% pass mark)
Failure of any OSCE station will require the student to re-sit the OSCE component of the module.
2. Critical Reflection from your area of practice based on prescribing (2500 word count) (50% pass mark) (100% of module mark)
All assessment components must be passed at the required pass mark to pass the module.
Compensation of individual components is not available.
Reassessment: If a student fails any component of the module (excluding the required component), then on successful completion the final result will be capped at 50% for the module as a whole.
Students will have one re-assessment attempt at each element.
