Neonatal Clinical Pharmacology (Online)

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Critically evaluate evidence based practice, clinical governance, regulation, and patient safety in neonatal prescribing practices
• Critically evaluate strategies that promote concordance, adherence and effective therapeutic partnerships to support, safe, ethical and effective medicines management in neonatal prescribing practice.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology and related clinical sciences to support your assessment and management of neonates
• Critically evaluate the mechanisms and effectiveness of drug actions, applying this knowledge to prescribing practice and medicines management in neonatal clinical practice

This module will focus on the principles of clinical pharmacology. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic relationships and will learn how to apply these principles in clinical practice. The following topics will be covered: Clinical pharmacology including the effects of co-morbidity •Pharmacology, including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapeutics •Anatomy and physiology as applied to neonatal prescribing practice •Basic principles of drugs to be prescribed, and drug handling e.g. absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, including but not limited to adverse drug reactions (ADR) and interactions with other diseases. Interactions, reactions and drug response specifically related to the neonatal patient. •Impact of physiological state on drug responses and safe prescribing practice, for example, in neonates •Ordering, interpreting and responding to laboratory investigations •Selection of drug regimen in well neonates and vulnerable sick neonates •Pharmaco-therapeutics related to controlled drugs Evidence-based practice, clinical governance and ethics in relation to prescribing •Knowledge of sources of evidence based prescribing including international, European, national and local guidelines, protocols, policies, decision support systems and formularies – including rationale for, adherence to and deviation from such guidance. •Critical analytical skills •Identify and report unexpected and adverse drug reactions and near misses •Clinical Trials of Drugs Used Off-label in Neonates: Ethical Issues

The module adopts a learner-centred, evidence-informed approach to teaching and learning, designed to promote active engagement, critical thinking, and the application of pharmacological principles to contemporary neonatal practice. Learning activities encourage students to develop advanced clinical reasoning, critically evaluate current evidence, and apply pharmacological knowledge to complex clinical decision-making in the neonatal setting. Core theoretical content will be delivered through the bespoke Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) using a combination of online learning resources, guided reading, narrated presentations, and structured learning activities. Students will be expected to engage independently with these materials before applying their learning through facilitated discussion and case-based activities. Students will be allocated to small discussion groups of approximately 10–15 participants. Each group will be supported by two experienced tutors who will facilitate discussion, encourage critical reflection, and support the integration of pharmacological principles with clinical practice. Discussion activities will use authentic neonatal case scenarios to explore a range of topics including the use of specific medications will be debated and evaluated. Most discussions will be asynchronous, allowing students the flexibility to engage alongside professional commitments while encouraging thoughtful reflection and interaction with peers. In addition, groups will participate in periodic synchronous online sessions using platforms such as Microsoft Teams, providing opportunities for collaborative learning, discussion of complex clinical scenarios, and clarification of key concepts. Where appropriate, plenary sessions and guest lectures delivered by subject experts will complement the core learning materials. These sessions will provide opportunities to explore emerging evidence, advances in neonatal pharmacology, medicines optimisation, prescribing practice, and contemporary issues in neonatal practice. A comprehensive range of learning resources, including access to subject-specific electronic library resources, national and international prescribing guidance, clinical guidelines, research literature, and multimedia resources, will be available throughout the module.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.