Key facts
UNE unit code: PHAR310
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
Effective patient education is essential for promoting medication adherence and achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes. This unit extends your skills for pharmacy practice, emphasising the legal, ethical, and interprofessional aspects of patient care.
Through this unit, you will refine your communication and counselling skills, learning how to engage in personalised, patient-centered discussions on medication use and management. You will develop strategies for providing tailored counselling on prescription, non-prescription, and complementary medicines, applying effective communication skills to support shared decision-making, enhance patient engagement, and improve health outcomes.
With a strong focus on patient education, this unit will equip you to confidently counsel individuals across a range of health conditions, ensuring they understand their medications, potential interactions, and appropriate use. You will also explore the role of cultural competence and health literacy in delivering effective, patient-friendly communication.
Additionally, this unit will emphasise interprofessional collaboration, preparing you to work within healthcare teams and navigate the legal and ethical responsibilities of pharmacy practice. Through interactive case studies and real-world scenarios, you will develop the confidence and skills needed to provide safe, effective, and individualised care.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 2 days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | The intensive school is mandatory for all students. Students must attend the Mandatory Intensive School which is held in Armidale. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate advanced communication and counselling skills to engage in patient-centered discussions on medication use, adherence, and management;
- apply legal and ethical principles in pharmacy practice to ensure safe, appropriate, and professional medication counselling and patient care;
- develop tailored counselling strategies for prescription, non-prescription, and complementary medicines, supporting shared decision-making and patient engagement;
- recognise and address health literacy and cultural considerations in patient education to enhance understanding and improve health outcomes; and
- demonstrate communication and collaboration skills relevant to interprofessional healthcare teams, applying strategies to enhance patient care and professional interactions.
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
APF26 Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary Handbook
ISBN: 9780648600329
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia 26th ed. 2024
Text refers to: All offerings
Online Resources https://une.au.libguides.com/pharmacy
Text refers to: All offerings
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We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
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