|  |  |
Vocational Training
Clinical
Pharmacology
Supervising Committee
Specialist Advisory Committee (SAC) in Clinical Pharmacology.
Definition
of Specialty
Clinical pharmacology comprises all aspects of the scientific
study of drugs in humans. Its objective is to ensure rational drug therapy.
General Principles of Training
- Within the framework
of the requirements for clinical training listed below, the program is flexible,
depending on the prior training and experience of each trainee. It is essential
that clinical pharmacology trainees have good experience in general medicine.
The topics listed in the components' of training section represent general descriptions
and the precise manner in which knowledge and experience are acquired, will vary
with the facilities available at each training site. The proportion of time spent
in each form of activity will also vary with the unit and with the interests and
requirements of the supervisor.
- It is expected that 2 years will
be spent in a department of clinical pharmacology, but a period of training in
a general medicine or subspecialty unit may also be approved, provided there is
a continuing component of clinical pharmacology.
- A core year of advanced
training should normally be undertaken in Australia or New Zealand.
-
Core training must be spent under the supervision of a specialist who holds FRACP,
and has substantial practice in clinical pharmacology.
Components
of Training
Core Training
This is
of 24 months and should include and address:
- principles of basic pharmacology
of essential drug groups and mechanisms of action;
- principles of pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamics;
- paediatric or geriatric pharmacology;
- individual
and population variance in drug response;
- assessment of adverse drug
reactions;
- therapeutic drug monitoring and reporting of plasma drug
concentrations;
- knowledge of codes of good laboratory and good clinical
research practice;
- awareness of literature and computer sources of
drug information;
- understanding of the role of ethics committees;
- awareness
of the role of drug committees;
- knowledge of basic research principles;
- completion
of at least one research project (other than a clinical trial);
- understanding
of the process involved in evaluating new drugs;
- principles of quality
drug use/quality use of medicines (QUM);
- drug utilisation evaluation;
- clinical
trials;
- appreciation of the issues relating to the use of complementary
medicines; and
- must include ongoing exposure to clinical patient management.
Non
Core Training
Many options are available and may be pursued for up
to 12 months of the 3-year program. Alternative options should be discussed with
a member of the SAC. Suggested areas for additional training include:- clinical
or basic toxicology;
- pharmacoepidemiology;
- secondment
to the Federal Department of Health (or to Med Safe in the Ministry of Health
in New Zealand) to gain exposure to drug evaluation processes;
- secondment
to the pharmaceutical industry;
- palliative care and principles of
pain management;
- clinical microbiology.
Procedural
Skills
There are no specific requirements for procedural skills.
[
Table of Contents ]
|
 |
