In-Service Training Handbook
(PHR 4514-40 credits)
Co-ordinators: Professor Anthony Serracino-Inglott
Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi
Department of Pharmacy
University of Malta
October 2011
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Rationale
Fifth year pharmacy students are required to complete this module which represents
the wrapping up of the theoretical background provided in the Pharmacy Practice
modules presented during the first to the fourth year and the practical experience
gained during the Community Pharmacy Practice. The emphasis of this module is
that the students are presented with a continuous practical experience of practising in
a pharmacy. This practice-oriented approach is supplemented with discussions held
with pharmacist tutors. During the practice, students are under the supervision of a
pharmacist and the managing pharmacist is responsible to ensure that the student is
under the supervision of the pharmacist during all times.
Goals
•
To practise as a professional responsible to ensure safe, effective and rational
use of medicines.
•
To gain experience in interacting with the consumer and meeting patients’
needs.
•
To participate in discussions with colleagues and other health professionals.
•
To participate in activities related to promoting healthy lifestyles.
•
To familiarize with the practical implications of the legal requirements for the
practice of pharmacy.
•
To acquire practical information on the local pharmaceutical services provided.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this study unit, the student will be able to:
•
describe components of pharmacy operations including risk management
strategies
•
manage medication distribution and inventory control
•
apply problem-solving strategies in pharmacy
•
develop and maintain documentation systems in pharmacy
•
plan and perform patient evaluation to identify possible/risk for drug-related and
non-drug related problems
•
manage human and fiscal resources
•
promote health, wellness and disease prevention
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Structure
This handbook is intended to present the framework of the In-Service Training
period. It is directed towards students, managing pharmacists and pharmacists
practising at the pharmacy, and Pharmacist Tutors who will be monitoring the
performance of the student.
Assessment
Assessment of students’ knowledge and understanding of the core knowledge
required for professional practice and ability to approach practice based problems
Written Examination
80%
Three two hour written papers consisting of a variety of multiple choice
question styles. Negative marking applies (Synoptic Examination)
Paper 1: Pharmaceutical Care I: an open book paper, reference sources
allowed:
Minor Illness or Major Disease? (Edwards and Stillman), Non-prescription
medicines (Nathan), Validation Instruments for Community Pharmacy
(Azzopardi), BNF, Copy of the Laws of Malta relating to practice of pharmacy.
Paper 2: Pharmaceutical Care II: a closed book paper
Paper 3: Clinical Pharmacy: a closed book paper
Held at the end of the second semester after fifth year of the course.
Log book of practice at community pharmacy
10%
Reports
10%
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GUIDELINES
Attendance at the pharmacy
1. At the beginning of the academic year (by 10 October) students are
requested to fill in Form 5.1 to apply for approval of the pharmacy where they
will be attending for the practice. Any changes in the details provided have
to be reported using Form 5.2. Form 5.2 should be submitted to the
Department as soon as possible. Students are advised to refrain as much as
possible to change pharmacy where the practice has been undertaken in the
earlier years unless for very valid reasons.
2. The students shall attend the pharmacy for a period of 6 months, which
period will be specified by the department by October. The students are
expected to attend the pharmacy for practice during all opening hours of the
pharmacy throughout the weeks indicated by the department. A half session
per week exemption is allocated. For pharmacies which are open on
extended hours, the student is expected to be present for 40 hours a week.
Students have to notify the department through Form 5.1 on which day of the
week will they be making use of this concession. Students are not allowed to
undertake any activities during the time allocated for pharmacy practice.
3. Any absence from the pharmacy has to be reported using Form 5.3. Failure
to do so may result in non-compliance with the requirements to achieve these
credits. Any sickness has to be covered with a medical certificate and
student will be asked to take up the missed period of training during another
indicated period. Form 5.3 has to be submitted to the Pharmacy Practice Lab
as soon as possible.
4. The managing pharmacist is responsible to ensure that the student is under
the supervision of a pharmacist at all times. Managing pharmacists are
advised that it is considered against the ethical practice to sign any
document, including attendance, which are not true to the facts.
5. The students should work under the supervision of the pharmacist and
participate in activities undertaken in the provision of professional services,
management and upkeep of the pharmacy.
Activities students should participate in
6. Dispensing of prescription medicines in accordance with good practice.
7. Counselling of patients when responding to symptoms and when
recommending non-prescription medicines.
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8. Formulation, implementation and documentation of pharmaceutical care plans
to manage patient care needs in the management of chronic disease states
and in the treatment of common acute diseases.
9. Development of plan for continuity of care across multiple care sites (hospitalcommunity interface)
10. Maintenance and management of the pharmacy (dispensing area, stock
control, quality of medicines, storing medicines)
11. Use and upkeep of equipment available in the pharmacy (diagnostic tests,
refrigeration)
12. Use of reference material
13. Discussions with other health professionals.
Seminars and Assessment
14. Students should daily update the Attendance Record Book which will be
supplied by the Department. This will entail that the pharmacist present
during each session will sign to confirm the attendance. The Attendance
Record Book is a record of attendance and of daily work experience.
15. Students are expected to keep a Log Book whereby a daily entry for
attendance at the pharmacy is recorded. Each entry should be countersigned by the pharmacist present. In the Log Book students are expected to
present a brief description of the event (case) and discuss the outcome of the
intervention. Students are asked to use the Log Book Documentation Sheet
to build up the log book. Additional material to the sheet should be used for
the student’s reference only.
16. Students will attend for Log Book Tutorials on a once weekly basis
according to a schedule which will be issued regularly. When a student is
absent for a tutorial a medical certificate has to be presented or an
explanatory note sent by email to Professor Lilian M. Azzopardi. The
logbooks entries for the missed tutorials should be kept apart and presented
in the event that the tutorial is re-scheduled.
17. For each tutorial, the student is expected to present the Attendance Record
Book duly completed for the previous week and six Log Book entries. When
there is a Public Holiday which coincides with a working day, students are
expected to present five Log Book Entries. Log Book Entries presented at
each tutorial should run from a Monday to a Saturday. The Log Book
entries should be presented on the Log Book Documentation Sheet. Each
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Log Book Documentation Sheet has to be signed by the pharmacist present.
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the Log Book not
being corrected. For the tutorial, students have to present the original and a
photocopy of the Log Book Documentation Sheets. The orginal copy will be
retained at the department.
18. The student will be assessed on the material presented and also in response
to questions put forward during the ensuing discussion with the Pharmacist
Tutor assessing the performance.
19. During each tutorial a mark will be assigned.
The best marks allotted to 22
log book entries out of 23 tutorials, where the student has a minimum of 22
attendances will be taken as a partial contribution towards the final mark. The
accumulated mark from this continuous assessment contributes 10% towards
the final credit mark. After each tutorial, the mark is recorded on the
Pharmacist Tutor Assessment Sheet.
20. Students are expected to present five reports during the training period. The
reports are to be undertaken according to the Schedule of Reports. The
reports contribute 10% towards the final credit mark. Each report has to be
submitted by Friday of the last week dedicated to the respective report.
Submission of the report has to be accompanied by Form 5.4.
21. At the end of the training period students are required to submit the
Attendance Record Book. Date of submission will be five days following
termination of training period.
22. At termination of training period, the Managing Pharmacist has to submit
Form 5.5.
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