Nurse Assistant (Preventive) Curriculum 2025 Notes

Introduction to Pharmacology, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine

Course Description

  • Credits: 2 Credits (2T)
  • Purpose: The course aims to discuss the basis and scope of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), including:
    • Types and Modes of Operation: Examination of each type of CAM and its operational methods.
    • Role in Health Delivery System: Understanding how CAM integrates into the overall healthcare framework.
    • Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance: Coverage of pharmacology principles and the importance of pharmacovigilance in medication safety.
    • Regulations: Overview of laws regulating medicine use, including pharmaceutical policies, storage, and standard treatment guidelines.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate the following:

  • Knowledge of CAM: Understanding the fundamentals and scope of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
  • Principles and Practices: Familiarity with various traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine modalities.
  • Pharmacological Mechanisms: Knowledge of mechanisms such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, alongside the identification of drug adverse effects.
  • Medication Interactions: Insight into how different classes of medications interact with one another.
  • Pharmacovigilance System: Comprehensive understanding of the pharmacovigilance system within patient care contexts.

Competencies Overview

Competency 1: Integration of Complementary and Traditional Medicine in the Health Delivery System

  • Objective: To demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices of various CAM modalities within the health care framework.
Specific Competencies - Knowledge
  1. Basis and Scope of Traditional and CAM
    • Elaborate on how traditional and CAM influence the health delivery system.
  2. Classification of CAM
    • Discuss how different CAM types are classified within the health delivery context.
  3. Types and Modes of Operation
    • Explain various types of CAM services and their operational methods in health care.
Specific Competencies - Skills
  1. Practical Skills Development
    • Acquire hands-on experience in complementary therapies such as:
      • Acupuncture: Understanding techniques and effects.
      • Herbal Medicine: Familiarity with herbal preparations and their applications.
      • Aromatherapy: Knowledge of essential oils and their therapeutic properties.
  2. Recognition of CAM Services
    • Acknowledge the variety and functionality of CAM services in health care environments.
  3. Historical and Cultural Contexts
    • Recognize the influence of historical and cultural backgrounds on traditional medicine practices.
Specific Competencies - Attitude
  1. Team Collaboration
    • Encourage working alongside other health team members effectively.
  2. Promotion of Care
    • Advocate for stigma and discrimination-free healthcare practices to enhance patient care experiences.

Competency 2: Integration of CAM in Health Delivery System

  • Objective: To demonstrate an understanding of the role that CAM serves within the health delivery system.
Specific Competencies - Knowledge
  • In-depth knowledge regarding the various factors influencing the integration of CAM in healthcare provision and policy.