OVERVIEW

Pharmacology (with focuses on psychoactive drugs)

The capacity to help patients of any age and census to cope with personal and social discomfort (caused by abuse, unemployment, withdrawals, bereavements, addictions..etc) is significant expertise of a professional educator. Psychoactive drugs may help to control affectivity and behavioral disorders but expose patients to possible pharmacological addiction.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To provide basic information on internal medicine and emergency medicine useful to better integrate the inclusion of the Professional Educator in clinical and socio-health activities. To acquire the key information on the mechanisms of action of drugs on humans, with particular reference to psychotropic drugs. To know the peculiarities of the children and adolescent and the main pathologies, with specific reference to adolescent pathologies. To acquire the fundamental conceptions of hygiene and preventive medicine.

PREREQUISITES

Unit of Pharmacology (focuses on psychoactive drugs). To better comprehend the topics about clinical indications, side effects, and warnings students may take advantage of basic knowledge of neurotransmission, and in particular of the mechanisms involved in neurotransmitter release in synapses. The knowledge of the physiology of the autonomous nervous system will be helpful to comprehend the mechanisms that underly the peripheral side effects of psychoactive drugs.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Unit of Pharmacology ( with focuses on psychoactive drugs). The exams will be held in form of Interviews

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Unit of Pharmacology ( with focuses on psychoactive drugs). Interviews will be solely focused on the topics that have been discussed during the course. They will be addressed to estimate the capacity of the students to critically evaluate the pathological situations that require the use of psychotropic drugs. The capacity to discuss the most useful neuropharmacological approach according to the clinical characteristics of the patients will be considered worthy of the highest score.