Master in Clinical Pharmacy (MCP)

Goals

The goals of the Master in Clinical Pharmacy program are;

• Equip and enable Clinical Pharmacists to become change agents and to meet the challenges in a changing healthcare system in the country and deliver specialized patient-centered and evidence-based clinical pharmacy services.
• Adopt national and international best practices in clinical pharmacy education.
• Improve research productivity in clinical pharmacy and promote the professional development of pharmacists.
• Enhance the quality of care to a specialized clinical level provided by graduates to the community it serves.
• Encourage self-development and collaborative practice.

Outcomes

The Outcomes of the Master in Clinical Pharmacy is based on American College of Clinical Pharmacy competencies for Clinical Pharmacists with additional research outcome.

1. Direct patient care
2. Pharmacotherapy knowledge
3. System-based care and population health
4. Communication
5. Professionalism
6. Continuing professional development and
7. Research

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Syed Wasif Gillani
Acting Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice

 

Study Plan

Name of the Program	Master in Clinical Pharmacy
Credit Hours	40
Semesters	2 Semesters + 1 year of Rotations & Thesis
Duration	2 Years
In Collaboration with	Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

Year 1 (Semester 1 & 2)

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours	Pre-requisites
MCP610	Pharmacy Practice Ethics & Law	2	–
MCP611	Advanced Clinical Pharmacokinetics	3	–
MCP612	Advanced Pharmacotherapy	3	–
MCP613	Evidence-based & Patient-centered Practice	1	–
MCP614	System-Based Care & Population Health	2	–
—	Specialization Course I (Elective)	3	–
—	Specialization Course II (Elective)	3	–
MCP620	Antimicrobial Stewardship	2	–
MCP621	Research Seminar & Biostatistics	2	Evidence-based & Patient-centered Practice

Specialization courses (Two of the following to be selected)

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours
MCP650	Advances in Cardiac Pharmacotherapy	3
MCP651	Parenteral Nutrition, IV Therapy & Sterile Preparation	3
MCP652	Advances in Infectious Disease Pharmacotherapy	3
MCP653	Advances in Renal Pharmacotherapy	3
MCP654	Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research	3
MCP655	Pharmacy Management	3
MCP656	Advances in Oncology Pharmacotherapy	3

Year 2 (Rotations and Practice-based Research Thesis)

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Hours	Pre-requisites
MCP630	Innovations in Pharmacy Practice	1	–
MCP631	Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Rotation	4	All courses in Semester 1 & 2)
MCP632	Critical Care Pharmacy Rotation	4
—	Specialization Rotation (Elective)	4
MCP640	Practice-based Research Thesis	6

Specialization rotations (One of the following to be selected)

Rotation Code	Rotation Title	Credit Hours
MCP660	Cardiology Rotation	4
MCP661	Parenteral Nutrition Rotation	4
MCP662	Infectious Disease Rotation	4
MCP663	Nephrology Rotation	4
MCP664	Pharmacy Administration	4
MCP665	Oncology Rotation	4

Admission Requirements Academic Year 2020-21

• Applicants shall meet all admission criteria for entry into the higher education programs offered by the University, as laid down in the Standards (2019) published by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Education – Higher Education Affairs, UAE.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Pharm D from an accredited University in the UAE or equivalent one from outside the UAE.
• Distinct undergraduate performance of minimum cumulative grade point average(CGPA) of 3.0  on a 4-point scale, or equivalent grade (B)
• The Applicant must have proficiency in spoken and written English. The applicant can fulfil the English proficiency requirement via the TOEFL, IELTS, or UA CESL Endorsement Exam, minimum requirements are listed below. TOEFL and IELTS test scores must be dated within two years of the year of enrolment.

• • EmSAT: Score of 1400 and above
  • TOEFL: Score of 79 on the iBT or 550 PBT (web-based) test or higher.
  • IELTS: Overall score of 6 is required, with a score of no less than 5 on any individual band or module.

Conditional Graduate Admission Read More

Required Documents: 

• Attested copy of the Baccalaureate degree and official transcripts of credit/s earned from an accredited Institution of higher education previously attended
• Equivalency Certificate of the Baccalaureate degree from the Ministry of Education, UAE.
• Passport copy and Emirates ID Card (For UAE Nationals Family Book and Ethbara)
• Valid English Proficiency Scoresheet (EmSAT/IELTS/TOEFL etc.)
• Passport-size Photographs x 5
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume or CV
• Statement of purpose

CORE COURSES

MCP610

Pharmacy Practice Ethics & Law

This course covers the components of the ethics in clinical pharmacy practice, laws and regulations. The course also explains how to practice in complex clinical situations considering cultural sensitivity. It also covers practice philosophy without causing harm to consumers as well as how to manage when an adverse event happens.

 

MCP611

Advanced Clinical Pharmacokinetics

This course covers advanced level of clinical pharmacokinetic services to improve patient outcomes in complex clinical situations. It also introduce new concepts of pharmacokinetics to students with Special focus on new drug and new technologies in pharmacokinetics.

 

MCP612

Advanced Pharmacotherapy

This course covers advanced pharmacotherapy knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes through activities. The learning happens with studying complex clinical cases. It enables students to evaluate and recommend advanced pharmacotherapy decisions.

 

MCP613

Evidence-based & Patient-centered Practice

This course covers higher levels of evidence utilization in clinical pharmacy practice. It focuses on advanced search and critical appraisal skills. Critical writing of high quality reports on evidences is also practiced. Patient-centered practice principles to protect patient values and achieve clinical outcomes are addressed too.

 

MCP614

System-Based Care & Population Health

This course reviews the current components of system-based care and population health. This course analyzes the roles and responsibilities of each professionals and programs and how they coexist as part of the current health care practice. Quality of health care delivery as specific to different populations is also evaluated. Emphasis will be on preparing clinical pharmacists to implement population-specific intervention plans which will influence health outcomes, health determinants and policies.

 

MCP620

Antimicrobial Stewardship

This course covers innovative and current best practice use of antimicrobial agents in advanced and complex clinical conditions. Evaluation of antimicrobial use at prescriber, pharmacist, and nurse levels to match with best practices. It also includes approaches to develop methods to improve rational utilization of antimicrobials.

 

MCP621

Research Seminar & Biostatistics

This is an advanced course in biostatistics and research methodology. In this course, students will give seminars about types of clinical study, designing, sample size determination and power of study and other statistics relevant to clinical pharmacy research. The next round of presentations is on the research projects identified that will lead to thesis submission. A protocol is to be submitted to ethics committee for approval of the proposed research.

 

SPECILIZATION COURSES

MCP650

Advances in Cardiac Pharmacotherapy

This specialization course covers specialized management of cardiac diseases. It included advanced and specialized pharmacotherapy in management of complex cardiovascular cases. The practice approaches to the clinical specialty prepares the students to provide advanced care.

 

MCP651

Parenteral Nutrition, IV Therapy & Sterile Preparation

This specialization course covers specialized management of renal diseases. It included advanced and specialized pharmacotherapy in management of complex renal disease cases. The practice approaches to the clinical specialty prepares the students to provide advanced care.

 

MCP652

Advances in Infectious Disease Pharmacotherapy

This specialization course covers specialized management of infectious diseases. It included advanced and specialized pharmacotherapy in management of complex infection cases. The practice approaches to the clinical specialty prepares the students to provide advanced care.

 

MCP653

Advances in Renal Pharmacotherapy

This specialization course covers specialized management of renal diseases. It included advanced and specialized pharmacotherapy in management of complex renal disease cases. The practice approaches to the clinical specialty prepares the students to provide advanced care.

 

MCP654

Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research

This course covers in-depth analysis of pharmaceutical interventions on cost-effective and affordable utilization of resources. Current and advanced policies and procedures in the development of new pharmaceutical products are included. It presents the relevance of outcomes research in the creation of real-world data on complex healthcare interventions. It explains the development and standardization of different methods in outcomes research. It empowers the students to influence clinical and administrative decision making process.

 

MCP655

Pharmacy Management

This specialization course provides an opportunity to gain unique and advanced knowledge in pharmacy management. It facilitates the abilities in management and change management in pharmacy practice. It empowers the student with specialized professional skills in the financial management field, marketing, and pharmaceutical business.

 

MCP656

Advances in Oncology Pharmacotherapy

This course covers specialized management of oncology diseases. It includes advanced and specialized pharmacotherapy in management of complex cancer cases. The practice approaches to the clinical specialty prepares students to provide advanced care.

 

CORE ROTATIONS

MCP630

Innovations in Pharmacy Practice

This course empowers students to understand and experience innovations in pharmacy practice. Development of innovative ideas to promote the professional practice with integration of knowledge, skills, and competence to practice is key to this course.

 

MCP631

Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Rotation

This course empowers students to practice in ambulatory care set up at an advanced level. It focuses on specialized patient care by assisting them in every step of the visit. Evaluate and improvise the pharmacists’ care process model at ambulatory care setting.

 

MCP632

Critical Care Pharmacy Rotation

This rotation empowers students to practice in critical care, especially with complex clinical cases. The opportunity is to be part of delivery of highly advanced and specialized critical care. Improvements in process and quality of pharmacists provided critical care services are essential.

 

SPECILIZATION ROTATIONS

MCP660

Cardiology Rotation

This specialization rotation facilitates practice opportunities to abilities gained from specialization course in cardiology. The focus of this training is to develop specialized practice in patients with even advanced and complex cardiovascular conditions. A parallel research in the broad area of cardiology prepares students to be specialist cardiology clinical pharmacists.

 

MCP661

Parenteral Nutrition Rotation

This concentration rotation facilitates practice opportunities to abilities gained from concentration course in parenteral nutrition. The focus of this training is to develop specialized practice in patients with even advanced and complex conditions that require parenteral nutrition. A parallel research in the broad area of parenteral nutrition prepares students to be specialist nutrition support clinical pharmacists.

 

MCP662

Infectious Disease Rotation

This concentration rotation facilitates practice opportunities to abilities gained from concentration course in infectious diseases. The focus of this training is to develop specialized practice in patients with even advanced and complex infectious disease conditions. A parallel research in the broad area of infectious diseases prepares students to be specialist infectious diseases clinical pharmacists.

 

MCP663

Nephrology Rotation

This concentration rotation facilitates practice opportunities to abilities gained from concentration course in nephrology. The focus of this training is to develop specialized practice in patients with even advanced and complex renal conditions. A parallel research in the broad area of nephrology prepares students to be specialist nephrology clinical pharmacists.

 

MCP664

Pharmacy Administration

This concentration rotation facilitates practice opportunities to abilities gained from concentration course Pharmacy Management. The focus of this training is to develop specialized practice in managing pharmacy. A parallel research in the broad area of pharmacy administration prepares students to be Pharmacy Managers.

 

MCP665

Oncology Rotation

This rotation facilitates practice opportunities to abilities gained from specialization course in oncology. The focus of this training is to develop specialized practice in patients with even advanced and complex oncology conditions. A parallel research in the broad area of oncology prepares students to be specialist oncology clinical pharmacists.

 

RESEARCH THESIS

MCP640

Practice-based Research Thesis

Research plan is prepared in Semester 2 and ethics approval shall be taken before Year 2 to start research. Thesis needs to be submitted in the prescribed format and defended. Broad area of research is in the specialization that students undergo with selected specialization course and specialization rotation.

Specific Completion Requirements of the Master in Clinical Pharmacy Program includes:

• Completion of 40 credits
• A minimum CGPA of 3.0
• A minimum pass mark of 70% (Grade C) for each course. Rotation and Thesis evaluation is Pass/Fail.
• A minimum attendance of 80% with each didactic courses and 100% attendance in rotations.
• A successful defense of thesis submitted in the prescribed format.

Graduates can advance their career as:

• Specialized Clinical Pharmacists in Hospitals and Clinics
• Pharmacy Administrators at Hospitals, Clinics, or Pharmacies
• Clinical staff at Pharmaceutical Industries, e.g., medical affairs
• Teaching Staff and specialty Preceptor at Universities
• Clinical Consultants at the Ministry of Health
• Research Staff at Clinical Organizations

Fiaz Ahmed, Infection Control Physician, Thumbay University Hospital, UAE

Sally Arif, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Midwestern University, USA

Danial Baker, J. Roberts and Marcia Fosberg Distinguished Professor, Washington State University, USA

Ayman Ahmad Chkhis, Clinical Pharmacist, Al Kuwait Hospital, Dubai, UAE

Sahar Elnajjar (Alumna of GMU MCP Program), Pharmacist, Mediclinic Parkview Hospital, UAE

Wasim S. El Nekidy, Senior Specialist Pharmacotherapy, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mohamed Hisham, Clinical Staff Pharmacist, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, UAE

David Holdford, Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA

Kiran Kumar, Specialist (Asstt. HOD), Thumbay University Hospital, UAE

Mohammad Qaddoura, CEO, Response Plus Medical, UAE