Towards Prescribing Practice

The variety and number of non-medical practitioners identified for prescribing activity is growing rapidly. Across the country, universities have validated prescribing programmes designed for generic health care practice with a distance-learning component. Towards Prescribing Practice offers readers a comprehensive guide to the principles and practice of prescribing. The subject matter relates to the government content standards for study programmes and takes its cue from recent research in prescribing and patient care in practice. This book embraces the perennial core principles of prescribing practice, management and leadership. Content is organised to facilitate progressive learning, with space allocated in each chapter to practice application through discussion and exercises. The early inclusion of a section on patient-centred planning and concordance enables the reader to assimilate new knowledge within an individualised care approach. The final three chapters are written from different clinical perspectives: mental health, palliative care and emergency care, providing assistance to specific areas of prescribing practice.

List of Contributors ix Acknowledgements xi 1 Understanding Basic Pharmacology 1 John McKinnon 2 Patient-Centred Planning and Concordance 35 John McKinnon 3 The Application of Ethical Frameworks to Prescribing 59 John McKinnon 4 The Public Health Context 81 John McKinnon 5 A Practical Guide to Clinical Governance for Non-Medical Prescribing 117 Ruth Goldstein and Ruth Reilly 6 Collaborative Working and Clinical Management Plans 133 John McKinnon 7 Consultation and Decision Making 149 Clare Allen 8 Legislation, Regulation and Accountability in Prescribing 167 Jo West 9 Prescribing in Palliative Care 195 Yvonne Hopkins and Linda Bray 10 The Mental Health Perspective 223 Stuart Kennedy 11 Prescribing in Emergency Care 261 Ian Loveday and Richard Pilbery Index 283