Pharm.D. Program

PHP 440 Advanced Pediatric Pharmacotherapy

Detailed Course Description

The pharmacotherapy needs of neonates, infants, children, and adolescents present special challenges to practitioners. In addition to age-associated differences in disease, disease presentation, and disease evaluation; individuals in these particular age groups have pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences that make achieving appropriate pharmacotherapy more difficult. To meet these pediatric needs, pharmacy clinicians need a broad understanding of both disease and drug topics as they relate to these different age groups.   

This course provides overview of pharmacy practice of pediatric patients, including disease states, pharmacokinetics/dynamics, and unique application of knowledge and skills not discussed in required courses.  Students taking this course will benefit in professional skills and knowledge for taking care of neonates, infants, children and adolescents in both the community and hospital practice settings. Additional focus of course is to establish leadership skills and professionalism through community service in the pediatric population. 

Activities/Class Format

Didactic Lectures
Several lectures will be provided throughout the semester covering pediatric material beyond that of required courses.  Topics that have been included in the past curriculum are pediatric communications, pharmacokinetics/dynamics, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, neonatology, childhood infections, neurodevelopmental disorders and toxicology. 

Homework/In-Class Activities
There are several in-class activities in which you will be required to participate in.  If you are not present, you cannot receive credit.  Past examples include: My So Called Lungs, minute papers, case-based questions, journal reflection.  In addition, homework may be assigned.  Past examples have included: CF medication pamphlets, AOM and pediatric medication safety case questions, autism journal club.   

Outreach Project:
TBD 

Examinations: 
Three non-cumulative exams will be given during the semester.  Exams will cover lecture material noted in syllabus.  Exam questions will be taken from material presented in class and from the assigned readings.  Each student is responsible to attend each examination.   

Grading:
Exam 1     20%
Exam 2     20%
Exam 3     20%
Homework/Class Activities      20%
Outreach Project                    20% 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the signs and symptoms of disease states commonly encountered in pediatric population.
2. Learn how to participate in the drug therapy decision-making process on behalf of pediatric patients by:
1. Obtaining and evaluating relevant patient information
2. Identifying actual and potential drug-related problems
3. Learning how to recommend appropriate drug and non-drug therapies
4. Applying the principles of pharmacokinetics to determine appropriate medication doses and dosing schedules
5. Selecting appropriate dosage forms
3. Monitor, evaluate, and modify drug therapy in pediatric patients to achieve optimal pharmacotherapy.
4. Evaluate drug studies reported in the pediatric literature for the validity of research design, results, and clinical significance.
5. Retrieve and manage pediatric literature and information