University of Tartu
Master in Clinical Pharmacy
Online
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
02 Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
EUR 110 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Introduction
The master's program in Clinical Pharmacy is an innovative online-based program designed to cater to the needs of working professionals, offering a unique opportunity for pharmacists, regardless of their location, to advance their expertise in clinical pharmacy. This program stands out in the region as the pioneer in its domain, with no similar offerings available.
The Clinical Pharmacy master's program strongly emphasizes fostering essential teamwork skills, allowing students to collaborate with peers and build a robust network of colleagues. Through collaborative efforts, students can enhance their abilities to address complex clinical challenges and develop a supportive professional community that will prove invaluable in their future endeavors.
A distinctive feature of our curriculum is its problem-based approach, ensuring that students are equipped with the critical thinking and practical skills necessary for success in the dynamic field of clinical pharmacy. The program integrates substantial practical training, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, thus bridging the gap between academia and professional practice.
Recognizing the demands of a diverse and geographically dispersed student body, the Clinical Pharmacy program is strategically designed to be entirely online, providing the flexibility for individuals to pursue their studies while continuing to work in their current positions. This adaptability is particularly advantageous for those who seek to elevate their careers without geographical constraints, creating a pathway for professional development that accommodates the varied needs of our students.
- The online program's flexibility provides an opportunity for professional development to pharmacists who work at either a hospital or community pharmacy, regardless of their location
- The program emphasizes fostering students' skills in teamwork and helping them develop a network of colleagues to rely on in their professional lives
- A problem-based approach characterizes the program
- There are no similar programs in the region
- The University of Tartu belongs to the top 300 universities in the world in medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject) and clinical and health (THE Global Subject Rankings 2024) and the top 350 in pharmacy and pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by Subject).
Why Study Clinical Pharmacy?
The master's program in Clinical Pharmacy aims to help pharmacists acquire and demonstrate the competencies in clinical pharmacy through a rigorous program of study that provides students with the knowledge and skills required to:
- Review and incorporate current evidence into practice
- Work effectively in a multidisciplinary clinical environment
- Make decisions in clinical situations
- Communicate effectively with patients who have common long-term medical conditions
- Undertake clinical and practice-based research
Admissions
Curriculum
The Clinical Pharmacy master's program is structured as a session-based training rather than a full-time course. Although the nominal study duration is 1.5 years, amounting to 90 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, this is distributed across two academic years. In contrast, standard full-time 2-year programs typically comprise 120 ECTS, with each semester contributing 30 ECTS. This unique structure allows for a more flexible approach to completing the program.
The master's program in Clinical Pharmacy comprises the following modules:
- Fundamentals of Clinical Pharmacy Practice - all subjects of the module are obligatory
- Clinical Pharmacy in Practice – Introduction
- Concepts in Research in Clinical Pharmacy
- Introduction to Statistical Analysis
- Applied Therapeutics - all subjects of the module are obligatory
- Care of the Elderly and Paediatric Medicines Use
- Treatment of Pain and Infections
- Chronic Diseases 1 (neurological, cardiovascular, endocrinological diseases)
- Chronic Diseases 2 (gastrointestinal, respiratory, rheumatological, and psychiatric diseases)
- Elective module - Students must choose subjects from this module in the amount of 10 ECTS. One of the elective subjects is a clinical pharmacy internship that lasts two weeks and takes place in the pharmacy of the Tartu University Hospital.
- Master's Thesis
The modules are divided into study weeks aligned with the standard academic semesters. A study week begins on a Thursday and concludes the following Wednesday with a live webinar from 16:00 to 17:30 (GMT+3). Throughout the week, students engage in various activities independently or in groups. These activities include online lectures, home assignments, and self-assessments. The webinar at the end of each week summarises and reviews the material covered in the previous week.
Upon graduating from the Clinical Pharmacy master's program, you will be awarded a Master of Science degree.
Program Outcome
Upon completing the programme, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the critical stages of pharmacotherapy. This includes the ability to effectively define problems, formulate treatment goals, select and evaluate the suitability of treatments, prescribe appropriate therapy, inform patients, and monitor or discontinue treatment as necessary.
You will also acquire in-depth knowledge of drug and dose selection principles tailored to individual patient profiles. This encompasses considerations for organ failure, body weight, comorbidities, genetic factors, and other relevant clinical conditions.
Your skills in recognizing, assessing, and managing the risks associated with polytherapy, such as drug interactions and side effects, will be significantly enhanced. Additionally, you will develop a keen awareness of determining and monitoring drug concentrations to optimize treatment control.
Finally, the program equips you with the ability to access and interpret reliable information to address various questions and challenges in pharmacotherapy, further enhancing your expertise and proficiency in the field.
Career Opportunities
The online master's programme in Clinical Pharmacy is designed to provide professional development opportunities to pharmacists who work at either hospital or community pharmacies.
The programme benefits pharmacists who wish to improve their clinical pharmacy and patient consultation skills.
The programme's flexibility and major focus on e-learning make it especially well-suited to those who work – whether outside of Tartu or in another country.
Our alumni are welcome to work as clinical pharmacists in both the hospital and primary care. They can provide patients with a higher level of medical advice.