PHA-40071 - Module Specification
School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Independent Prescribing (IP) is becoming an essential skill for pharmacists, to enhance their existing role or to act as a catalyst for role change.
Keele University was the first UK University accredited to provide prescribing courses for pharmacists in 2003. The dedicated IP Team continues to develop the course to ensure that students meet the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) learning outcomes and are appropriately prepared for their future prescribing practice.
Our course is designed specifically for pharmacists and both the course manager and tutors are qualified prescribers. In addition the course has been approved by the GPhC to be delivered in a distance learning format, using Microsoft Teams, requiring attendance at just 6 study days throughout the 6 month course. You will also be required to complete 90 hours learning in practice with your Designated Prescribing Practitioner during the duration of the course.
The course has been designed to allow students to meet all of the GPhC 32 learning outcomes. Your learning will be supported by our experienced IP Team and medics.
You will be assessed through your Portfolio of Professional Practice and a patient case assignment

The aim is stipulated by the GPhC:
To enable pharmacists to practise and develop as prescribers and to meet the learning outcomes set by the GPhC within the four domains of:
person-centred care;
professionalism;
professional knowledge and skills;
collaboration.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise the psychological and physical impact of prescribing decisions on people: 1,2
Understand and meet their legal responsibilities under equality and human rights legislation and respect diversity and cultural differences: 1,2
Take responsibility for ensuring that patient-centred care is not compromised because of personal values and beliefs: 1,2
Demonstrate appropriate history-taking techniques through effective consultation skills: 1,2
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the prescriber in working in partnership with people who may not be able to make fully informed decisions about their health needs: 1,2
Support individuals to make informed choices that respect people's preferences: 1,2
Demonstrate a critical understanding of their own role and the role of others in multi-professional teams: 1,2
Recognise their own role as a responsible and accountable prescriber who understands legal and ethical implications: 1,2
Apply relevant legislation and ethical frameworks related to prescribing, including remote prescribing and the handling and sharing of confidential information: 1,2
Recognise and manage factors that may influence prescribing decisions: 1,2
Apply local, regional and national guidelines, policies and legislation related to healthcare: 1,2
Reflect on and develop their own prescribing practice to ensure it represents current best practice: 1,2
Apply an understanding of health economics when making prescribing decisions: 1,2
Understand the clinical governance of the prescriber, who may also be in a position to supply medicines to people: 1,2
Recognise other professionals' practice and raise concerns related to inappropriate or unsafe prescribing by other prescribers: 1,2
Apply evidence-based decision-making in all aspects of prescribing: 1,2
Manage the risks and benefits associated with prescribing decisions: 1,2
Demonstrate the application of pharmacology in relation to their own prescribing practice: 1,2
Demonstrate clinical and diagnostic skills in clinical settings appropriate to their scope of practice: 1,2
Create and maintain appropriate records which ensure safe and effective care and align with relevant legislation: 1,2
Identify relevant investigations and interpret results and data in their prescribing practice: 1,2
Utilise current and emerging systems and technologies in safe prescribing: 1,2
Identify and respond to people's needs when prescribing remotely: 1,2
Apply the principles of effective monitoring and management to improve patient outcomes: 1,2
Recognise and manage prescribing and medication errors: 1,2
Recognise the public health issues in promoting health as part of their prescribing practice: 1,2
Work collaboratively with others to optimise individuals' care, understanding their roles in the prescribing process: 1,2
Recognise their own roles and responsibilities, and those of others, in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults: 1,2
Recognise when and where to refer people appropriately: 1,2
Collaborate with people to encourage them to take responsibility for managing care: 1,2
Demonstrate appropriate consultation skills to get information from individuals who are either unaware of or guarded about their health needs, to inform safe prescribing: 1,2
Recognise when to seek guidance from another member of the healthcare team or appropriate authority: 1,2

Study hours

Students are required to attend 6 study days (42 hours).
This course is delivered principally using media for distance learning and work-based learning and 318 independent study hours are attributed to this.
Students are required by the GPhC to spend 90 hours under the supervision of a designate prescribing practitioner in their work place.

School Rules

The entry requirements are stipulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). These are:
1.Applicants must be registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council or, in Northern Ireland with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland and be of good standing with their Regulatory body.
2. Applicants must have at least 2 years appropriate patient-orientated post registration experience in a relevant UK practice setting.
3. Applicants must have identified area of clinical or therapeutic practice in which to develop their prescribing practice and must have relevant experience in this area that can act as a foundation to their training as a prescriber.
4. Applicants must have a designated prescribing practitioner to supervise their learning in practice time.

Description of Module Assessment