Overview

This practice-focused module aims to equip rheumatological practitioners with the skills and knowledge to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the use of drug therapy for rheumatological disorders. The module is designed to augment and enhance the student's understanding of drug therapy and to combine this with their clinical decision making relevant to rheumatological conditions.

This module will increase students' knowledge of anti -rheumatic drugs, their side effects and the basis for their use in clinical practice. It will develop the skills of interpretation of results of investigations commonly performed in patients taking anti­ rheumatic drugs and evaluate how concordance with drug therapy can be enhanced.

The use of blended learning will be adopted which utilises focused lectures, skills teaching and practice, workshops, online learning along with the student's clinical practice experiences. This multifaceted approach will provide the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills that underpin the management of drug therapy rheumatological conditions.

Module aims

This module aims to enable the student to understand the nature of the evidence base underlying the use of drugs in the treatment of patients with inflammatory arthritis, to evaluate the efficacy of medicines and make decisions on drug administration based on research evidence and to evaluate patient responses, including adverse effects, to drugs used in the rheumatic diseases.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:

• Critically evaluate and analyse the nature of the evidence base underlying the use of anti­-rheumatic drugs, with particular reference to inflammatory arthritis.
• Critically apply knowledge gained of the actions and side effects of anti-rheumatic drugs in order to implement and ensure their safe use in clinical practice.
• Competently interpret the results of related laboratory investigations, including core haematological and biochemical blood tests and take appropriate action.
• Demonstrate a critical insight into the role of the patient in the decision making process and its potential impact on concordance.
• Understand and apply the use of complex drug treatment to the pathology of inflammatory arthritis.

Entry requirements

This module is designed for experienced health and social care practitioners working in rheumatology and musculoskeletal practice.

Potential/Prospective students will:

• Hold current first level professional regulation within a relevant regulatory body
• Have significant experience of the routine management of patients with a rheumatological disorder
• Have either a degree or an equivalent professional qualification and appropriate experience

Module content

• Demonstrate understanding of the nature of the evidence base underlying the use of anti-rheumatic drugs, with particular reference to inflammatory arthritis.
• Relate the pathology of inflammatory arthritis to the drug treatment thereof.
• Apply knowledge gained of the effects and side effects of certain anti-rheumatic drugs in implementing the safe use of these drugs in clinical practice.
• Interpret the results of certain laboratory investigations, including core haematological and biochemical blood tests.
• Explain the role of the patient in the decision making process and evaluate how concordance can be enhanced
• Evaluate the impact of drug therapy on major organs including the liver and kidneys.

Teaching and assessment

The principal learning and teaching methods used in the module may include:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops: The core of module delivery mode is a series of tutor-led or group-led seminars or workshops which may be delivered in either a physically present or online format.
• Web-based learning using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE), Blackboard.
• Group work and peer support. All modules use focused group work and class discussions within face to face tutor time
• Directed independent study. Most of the study hours for each module comprise independent learning by expecting participants to add depth and breadth to their knowledge of topics, to practice skills and to reflect on critical incidents and their practice.