E-DRUG: Short & Distance Learning courses at University of Western Cape (2)
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E-Druggers,
I have recently returned from a very interesting time spent in South Africa. Most of the time was spent at the University of Western Cape (UWC) but I also attended a conference of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAHIP). This was an interesting experience as there were both public and private pharmacists discussing topics that affected both sectors. I did feel uncomfortable at the high level of pharmaceutical company sponsorship and did not take any of their many freebies.
The main purpose of this message is to encourage E-Druggers to review the March 7th message sent by Hazel Bradley from the University of Western Cape about the Short and Distance Learning courses offered at UWC. The short courses, Rational Medicine Use (20-24th June) and Medicines Supply Management (27th June to 1st July) are similar to other courses offered on the same topics. But the long courses are I think unique.
These Distance Learning courses on the same topics are being offered from July to November and are offered as BOTH MPH elective courses and also as Continuing Education courses for more experienced professionals.
The Rational Medicines Use course was offered for the first time last year and I was one of the instructors. There were 12 students, 5 MPH students and 7 Continuing Education students.
Students came from Nigeria, Botswana and from all over South Africa. The Continuing Education students brought a lot to the course. Many already had Masters degrees, one had a doctorate but they all participated in the asynchronous Discussion Group (Different times) and synchronous Chat Room (same time) and did their assignments and activity submissions. I really enjoyed having them on the course and I think the MPH students benefitted greatly.
What was also fun about the course was that the instructors came from different Schools at UWC (Public Health and Pharmacy), and from Management Sciences for Health in South Africa, the instructors came from different professional backgrounds including pharmacists, a Pharm D Clinical Pharmacist, an MD, a Health Economist and a Management Specialist.
So even if you already have an MPH or a graduate Pharmacy or management degree do think of taking the distance learning course in Rational Medicine Use or Medicine Supply Management as a Continuing Education option.
The brochure is at :
https://www.uwc.ac.za/Faculties/CHS/soph/News/Pages/SOPH-issues-2016-Winter-School-Brochure.aspx
and the Application Form is at : http://shortcourses.uwc.ac.za/soph.
For queries do please contact
Dr Hazel Bradley Tel: 021 959 2630, Cell: 072 297 9932,
Email: hbradley@uwc.ac.za or
Nondumiso Ncube: Tel: 021 959 9390 Email: nncube@uwc.ac.za.
I hope to see some E-Druggers in Capetown in June or on line in July!
Richard
Richard Laing
Professor International Health
Boston University School of Public Health,
801 Massachusetts Avenue Boston MA 02118
Tel 617 414 1445 (Office) 617 435 7860 (Mobile)
E mail richardl@bu.edu