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Overview

Introduction to pharmacy as a profession, the fundamentals of law and principles of ethics, hauora Māori, social determinants of health, the health system, patient experiences of illness and treatment, communication.

The paper will also include a period of service learning.

About this paper

Paper title Introduction to Pharmacy
Subject Pharmacy
EFTS 0.095
Points 12 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $965.11
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Limited to
BPharm
Contact

Mr Mike Smith & Dr James Windle

Teaching staff

Paper Co-ordinators:

Dr James Windle

Mr Mike Smith

Paper Structure

Lectures, Workshops, Marae visit, Service learning

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required.

Course outline

This is a broad introductory one-semester paper, covering various topics relating to the New Zealand health system, health policy, pharmacy as a profession, pharmacy law and ethics, evidence-based medicine, patient-centred care and Hauora Māori. You will learn about the classification of medicines, patient Code of Rights, Health Information Privacy, and be introduced to ethical concepts. There will also be a Marae visit and community engagement opportunities during this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of paper, students will have made significant progress towards the following pharmacy programme learning outcomes:

Communication, Collaboration & Research

  • Uses appropriate communication techniques to establish and maintain a collaborative and constructive relationship with people and colleagues.
  • Communicates clinical information and expert scientific knowledge effectively to different audiences.
  • Reflects on how social/cultural factors related to oneself and others impact communication.
  • Demonstrate competence and confidence in utilising te reo Māori with Māori, whānau, community and identify its role in Māori health advancement.
  • Receives enquires effectively, gathers appropriate information, applies knowledge of evidence-based literature/ resources, and interprets and critically appraises information to provide an individual answer.

Population Health

  • Identify and describe the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in maintaining indigenous health rights for Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand and in contributing to Māori health advancement.
  • Describes factors contributing to and methods to mitigate health disparities.
  • Identifies targeted interventions and describes ways in which they address determinants of health and improve health outcomes for Māori and non-Māori.
  • Explains how Māori and other cultures and cultural practises affect health-related behaviour and interactions with the health system.
  • Describes how people move through different aspects of the health system and access health services.

Professionalism

  • Recognises, explains and demonstrates ethical principles and values underpinning the profession.
  • Maintains an individual’s rights to confidentiality, privacy and autonomy.
  • Demonstrates professional integrity through appropriate professional behaviour.
  • Recognises, describes and complies with legislation and other regulations that are relevant to pharmacy.
  • Describes experiences of the working environments of pharmacists.
  • Describes the place of medicines and the pharmacist within the health system.
Assessment details

Internal assessment: 3 Assignments each contributing 20% to final course grade

Final exam: Contributes 40% to final course grade

Overview

Introduction to pharmacy as a profession, the fundamentals of law and principles of ethics, hauora Māori, social determinants of health, the health system, patient experiences of illness and treatment, communication.

PHCY 210 introduces students to the foundations of pharmacy and the New Zealand health system. You'll explore the role of the pharmacist, pharmacy law and ethics, patient‑centred care, evidence‑based medicine and the social and cultural factors that shape health outcomes - with a strong focus on Māori culture and health.

This paper includes interactive workshops, giving students the opportunity to understand different health perspectives and understand the professional skills required in real‑world contexts. PHCY 210 provides an essential grounding for further study in pharmacy and the health sciences.

About this paper

Paper title Introduction to Pharmacy
Subject Pharmacy
EFTS 0.095
Points 12 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Limited to
BPharm
Contact

Mike Smith

Teaching staff

Paper Co-ordinator: Mike Smith

Paper Structure

Lectures and workshops.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required.

Course outline

This is a broad introductory one-semester paper, covering various topics relating to the New Zealand health system, health policy, pharmacy as a profession, pharmacy law and ethics, evidence-based medicine, patient-centred care and Hauora Māori. You will learn about the classification of medicines, the Patient Code of Rights, Health Information Privacy and be introduced to ethical concepts. There will also be a Marae visit and community engagement opportunities during this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the paper, students will have made significant progress towards the following pharmacy programme learning outcomes:

Communication, Collaboration & Research

  • Uses appropriate communication techniques to establish and maintain a collaborative and constructive relationship with people and colleagues.
  • Communicates clinical information and expert scientific knowledge effectively to different audiences.
  • Reflects on how social/cultural factors related to oneself and others impact communication.
  • Demonstrate competence and confidence in utilising te reo Māori with Māori, whānau, community and identify its role in Māori health advancement.
  • Receives enquiries effectively, gathers appropriate information, applies knowledge of evidence-based literature/resources and interprets and critically appraises information to provide an individual answer.

Population Health

  • Identify and describe the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in maintaining indigenous health rights for Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand and in contributing to Māori health advancement.
  • Describes factors contributing to and methods to mitigate health disparities.
  • Identifies targeted interventions and describes ways in which they address determinants of health and improve health outcomes for Māori and non-Māori.
  • Explains how Māori and other cultures and cultural practises affect health-related behaviour and interactions with the health system.
  • Describes how people move through different aspects of the health system and access health services.

Professionalism

  • Recognises, explains and demonstrates ethical principles and values underpinning the profession.
  • Maintains an individual's rights to confidentiality, privacy and autonomy.
  • Demonstrates professional integrity through appropriate professional behaviour.
  • Recognises, describes and complies with legislation and other regulations that are relevant to pharmacy.
  • Describes experiences of the working environments of pharmacists.
  • Describes the place of medicines and the pharmacist within the health system.
Assessment details

Internal Assessments:

  • Reflection Assignment (10%)
  • Health Literacy Group Assignment (20%)
  • NZ Health System Group Assignment (20%)

The final exam contributes to 50% of the final course grade.

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