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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
- 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
with one of these years within a paediatric clinical pharmacology unit. A period
of training in general paediatrics 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.
- Candidates should combine training in clinical pharmacology with
either general paediatrics training or another paediatric subspecialty training
program.
- All subspecialty paediatric trainees must complete the community
and child health requirements for paediatric training.
Note that the guidelines
differ between Australia and New Zealand.
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 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;
- must include
ongoing exposure to clinical patient management.
Procedural Skills
There
are no specific requirements for procedural skills.
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 MedSafe 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.
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