Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Pharmacology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Mr. José-Miguel Llombart: jllombart@uic.es
Introduction
Currently, physiotherapy has become a key piece for the treatment of various diseases for which the patient could be taking some type of medication. At the same time this patient might be following some pharmacological treatment for other diseases. Therefore, the patient’s health problems should not be understood in isolation, but in an integral way.
The combination of physiotherapy with pharmacology will sometimes go in the same direction, presenting synergistic effects in the patient. However, they can also go in opposite directions. In both cases, it is very important that the physiotherapist has knowledge about the indications, interactions and adverse effects of the drugs. With all this knowledge, the patient will feel more secure and the physiotherapist will become an indispensable intercom between family members and other health professionals, thus providing a comprehensive, high quality and effective treatment.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisites are necessary, but it is advisable to have studied subjects in anatomy, physiology and pathology.
Objectives
- To publicize the main groups of drugs, as well as their main characteristics in order to help in the integral treatment of patients.
- Offer the necessary tools to obtain truthful information and apply it correctly in therapy.
- That the student acquires reading comprehension of scientific texts
- That the student becomes familiar with the structure of the Summary of Product Characteristics and/or the Patient Leaflet
- To familiarize the student with the pharmacological field so that he/she can communicate rigorously with other health professionals
- To get the student to acquire their own autonomy to self-form.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - The ability to analysis and synthesis.
- 02 - The ability to organise and synthesize
- 10 - Develop autonomous learning skills.
- 11 - The ability to adapt to new situations.
- 14 - Demonstrate initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- 18 - Demonstrate a patient-centered approach by showing respect for the central role of the individual and his/her needs in decision-making.
- 20 - Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, emphasising the dynamic interrelationship between structure and function, in particular of the musculoskeletal, the nervous and the cardiorespiratory systems.
- 50.4 - Ability to design and apply different electrotherapy modalities, thermotherapy and cryotherapy, phototherapy, ultrasound therapy, vibrotherapy, magnet therapy, ergotherapy and pressotherapy.
- 54 - Ability to interact effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
- 62 - Capacity to read and understand physiotherapy literature written in the English language.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Once passed the subject, the student will have acquired knowledge in pharmacology that will allow him/her to understand the effects that the medicinal products can cause in the patients, and they will be able to participate actively in the integral and effective treatment of them, both alone and as part of a multidisciplinary team in the healthcare sector.
The student will be able to communicate correctly on topics related to pharmacology, both with patients and their families and with other health professionals.
The student will know the pharmacological bases of drug administration techniques such as iontophoresis or phonophoresis.
In short, the future physiotherapist will be a person trained to know and understand the main groups of drugs and will know how to integrate all of this information through the observation and analysis of his/her patient. The professional will also have enough tools and criteria to continue self-training by reading articles and attending conferences or complementary courses.
Syllabus
CHAPTER 1: BASIC CONCEPTS IN PHARMACOLOGY
1.1. Introduction
- Terminology
- Physiotherapist’s relationship with pharmacology
- Pharmaceutical forms and routes of administration
1.2. Pharmacokinetics
- LADME system
Physiotherapy and pharmacokinetic profiles
1.3. Pharmacodynamics
- Mechanism of action of drugs
- Drug-receptor interaction
1.4. Interactions
1.5. Adverse reactions
1.6 Clinical assays
CHAPTER 2: NERVOUS SYSTEM PHARMACOLOGY
2.1 Autonomic nervous system pharmacology
- Adrenergic agonists and antagonists
- Cholinergic agonists and antagonists
- Alzheimer disease
2.2 Central nervous system pharmacology
- Gabaergic system
- Anticonvulsants drugs
- Dopaminergic system
- Parkinson disease
- Psychopharmacology: Benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics
2.3 Neurophatic pain treatment
CHAPTER 3: SKELETAL MUSCLE SYSTEM PHARMACOLOGY
3.1 Introduction to the UMNS (upper motor neuron syndrome)
3.2 Muscle relaxants
3.3 Neuromuscular blockers
CHAPTER 4: PHARMACOLOGY OF PAIN AND INFLAMMATION
4.1 Analgesics
- No opioid analgesics: Paracetamol and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Opioid analgesics
4.2 Local anaesthetics
4.3 Corticosteroids
CHAPTER 5 : OSTEOARTICULAR PHARMACOLOGY
5.1 Drugs for the treatment of:
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Arthrosis
5.2 Adjuvants to pharmacological treatment
CHAPTER 6: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM PHARMACOLOGY
6.1Antihypertensives
6.2 Antianginous
6.3 Cardiotonics
6.4 Antiarrhythmics
6.5 Hypolipemiant
CHAPTER 7: BLOOD PHARMACOLOGY
7.1 Antiplatelets
7.2 Anticoagulants
CHAPTER 8: PHARMACOLOGY OF THE RESPIRARORY SYSTEM
8.1 β2 Agonists
8.2 Anticholinergics
8.3 Inhaled corticosteroids
8.4 Chromones
CHAPTER 9: ANTI-INFECTIVE DRUGS
CHAPTER 10: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
10.1 Diabetes Mellitus
- Insulin
- Oral antidiabetics
CHAPTER 11: SPORTS AND DOPING PHARMACOLOGY
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The subject will be presented in the form of master classes with digital Support. The theory Will be complemented with the resolution of clinical cases. Articles and news that may be of interest will also be discussed.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1st examination sitting:
The subject is passed with a final note of 5 out 10, and will be the sum of a clinal case and 2 exams (midterm and final examitation).
-Class activity: 20% of the final mark.
During the course, a video related to pharmacology will have to be prepared, following the instructions given in class. It can be done in groups of maximum 6-7 people. The activity is essential to be able to pass the subject.
- Midterm exam (19/03/2024): 20% of the final mark.
- Final examination (21/05/2024): 60% of the final mark.
The exams will be a multiple choice test. Students must obtain a minimum score of 4,5 on the final exam to pass the course.
2nd examination sitting:
- Final exam (12/06/2023): 80% of the final mark. Students must obtain a minimum score of 4,5 on the final exam to pass the course.
- Class activity: 20% of the final mark.
Students repeating the subject:
For students repeating the subject, the final exam worths 100%
If the student wishes to attend to the midterm exam, it will worth 20% of the final mark and the final exam will represent 80%; a minimum od 4,5 in the final exam is needed to make the average.
Students who are repeating the subject may also benefit from the realization of a new video.
Important considerations
During the course tests will be carried out with which positive points can be earned that will be taken into account in the final grade.
Copying the class activity of another group will mean zero in that section, doing so in the final exam can lead to the suspension of the subject.
In the second-sitting exams the maximum grade possible will be "excellent".
Bibliography and resources
- Duran M; Mestres C; Nogues RM. Fundamentos de Farmacología para Fisioterapeutas. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana, 2017.
- Lorenzo P; Moreno A; Leza JC; et al. Manual de Farmacología Básica y Clínica. Veláquez. 18ª edición. Madrid: Médica Paramericana, D.L. 2012.
- Flórez J. Farmacología humana. 5ª edición. Barcelona: Elsevier España, S.L,2008.
- Goodman and Gilman's"The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics". 12th edition. McGraw-Hill Professional,2011.
Evaluation period
- E1 02/06/2025 A14 12:00h
- E1 02/06/2025 A16 12:00h
- E2 08/07/2025 A02 10:00h