E-drug: Second African Course in Pharmacotherapy Teaching
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COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT - CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
The University of Cape Town, in collaboration with the World Health
Organisation Drug Action Programme, will be holding the
SECOND AFRICAN COURSE IN PHARMACOTHERAPY TEACHING
24 November - 6 December 1997
University of Cape Town, South Africa
COURSE OBJECTIVE
To teach teachers of pharmacology and therapeutics to equip their
students with adequate skills and knowledge to prescribe drugs
rationally. The course will enable participants to plan, develop and
implement this problem-based teaching method at their local medical
school or teaching institution.
Since few lecturers are solely involved in undergraduate teaching,
additional modules on related issues such as distance learning
programmes, pharmaco-vigilence, applied research and medicines
information will be scheduled.
COURSE RATIONALE
Irrational drug choice is prevalent in both the industrialised and
developing countries. As a result drug therapy may prove ineffective,
unnecessarily expensive or unsafe. Contemporary medical education
emphasises diagnosis; undergraduate teaching in therapeutics is still
a neglected topic in most institutions. This course will assist
lecturers to teach principles of rational prescribing outlined in the
WHO's Guide to Good Prescribing.
COURSE METHOD
The African Course is based on the methodology developed by the
University of Groningen, with some adaptation of the course content
to better meet the needs of therapeutics teachers in Africa. It
introduces a logical, step-by-step approach to a patient problem:
setting therapeutic objectives, selecting appropriate
(pharmaco)therapy, and monitoring the response to therapy. It also
emphasises the importance of correct prescribing and good patient-
doctor communication. These principles have been disseminated
through the Groningen Summer Course in Problem-based Pharmacotherapy over the
past 4 years, and by the African Course since last year.
The additional modules will be developed to specifically target those
areas that the participants are involved in which support the
rational use of medicines. Small groups will meet with an expert in
the given field, to strengthen participants' existing programmes, and facilitate
ongoing collaboration.
COURSE FACILITATORS
The course will be jointly facilitated by 4 lecturers in
pharmacology in South African Health Science Faculties, and a guest
facilitator from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
COURSE PARTICIPANTS
Lecturers and teachers of pharmacology and therapeutics at medical
schools and postgraduate teaching institutions are invited to
participate in this course. Unfortunately, only English-speaking
participants can be accommodated as the course will be conducted in
English.
COURSE FEE
The course fee is US$ 3 000; including full board and lodging,
tuition fees and educational material, but excluding travel expenses.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
1 August 1997
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, and requests for
application forms, please contact:
Ms Sherlayne Koonin
Department of Pharmacology
Medical School
University of Cape Town
Observatory 7925
South Africa
Tel: 27 - 21 - 406 6355
Fax:27 - 21 - 448 0886
email: skoonin@uctgsh1.uct.ac.za
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