Physician — Pharmacology & Therapeutics

How the Body Handles Drugs - Description: Focus on pharmacokinetics – what the body does to the drug. This day covers the processes of absorption (how drugs enter the bloodstream), distribution (how drugs spread throughout the body), metabolism (how drugs are broken down), and excretion (how drugs are eliminated). - Specific Resources/Activities: - Expected Outcomes: Comprehend the four main pharmacokinetic processes (ADME) and their importance in drug action and elimination, and begin to understand how these processes affect drug concentrations in the body.

Where Drugs Act in the Body - Description: Learn about the various targets drugs interact with, especially receptors. Explore different types of receptors (e.g., ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors) and how drugs interact with them (agonists, antagonists). - Specific Resources/Activities: - Expected Outcomes: Identify the major drug targets (e.g., receptors, enzymes), describe the different types of receptors and how they work, and understand the difference between agonists and antagonists.

The Good and the Bad - Description: Explore common drug interactions (e.g., drug-drug interactions, food-drug interactions) and adverse drug effects (side effects, allergic reactions, toxicities). Understand the importance of considering these factors in patient care. - Specific Resources/Activities: - Expected Outcomes: Understand the concept of drug interactions and adverse drug effects, list common types of drug interactions and adverse effects, and appreciate the importance of patient history when prescribing or administering medications.

Pain Relief - Description: Begin to learn about specific drug classes. Start with analgesics (pain relievers), covering non-opioid analgesics (e.g., NSAIDs, acetaminophen) and opioid analgesics. Learn about their mechanisms of action, uses, side effects, and contraindications. - Specific Resources/Activities: - Expected Outcomes: Identify common classes of analgesics, understand their uses, side effects, and contraindications and differentiate between opioid and non-opioid analgesics.

Heart Health - Description: Focus on a second important drug class: cardiovascular drugs. Learn about common classes like antihypertensives (drugs to lower blood pressure – e.g., ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers), and antianginals. Learn about their mechanisms of action, uses, and potential side effects. - Specific Resources/Activities: - Expected Outcomes: Identify common classes of cardiovascular drugs, understand their uses, common side effects, and the importance of monitoring.

• Description: This day consolidates the knowledge gained. Analyze case studies involving different pharmacological concepts and drug classes. Review key terms and concepts from the week. - Specific Resources/Activities: - Expected Outcomes: Apply pharmacological knowledge to real-world scenarios, review and solidify understanding of key concepts, and identify areas needing further study.