This is an effort to enable students to improve patients' health outcomes and contribute to the advancement of the pharmacy profession. This course provides the general education necessary to understand the complex interactions that occur at the tissue, cellular and molecular level during the initiation, and progression of disease states. An understanding of the pathogenesis of disease conditions and the psychosocial issues surrounding the disease allows for the development of successful prevention programs and for the efficient and successful diagnosis and treatment of the sick. This course is designed to provide Doctor of Pharmacy students with an exposure to literature evaluation at an advanced level. The approach adopts a research design perspective, but also uses the principles of critical evaluation and evidence based medicine.
Experience is gained through weekly critiques of a variety of manuscripts and published papers.
Assessment is done using critiques, quizzes, and in-class tests. This course is designed to provide students in the Pharm. D. Program with an awareness and understanding of the systems and sub-systems which contribute to policy formulation, programming, and operation of health services, and the principles and dynamics which shape these processes. The perspectives of society, institutions, practitioners, and patients will be considered. Examples relevant to pharmacy practice will be used where possible.