Course Syllabus ©National College of Midwifery 2017 11/2017
Course Title: Well Woman Pharmacology
Credits: 1.0
Course Description: This course is designed to give students a thorough introduction to pharmacology as it relates to well-woman care. The pharmacology of contraception methods is explored in-depth in this course in addition to an exploration into non-allopathic protocols for common well-woman problems. This course uses current research in midwifery and obstetrics to broaden the student’s understanding of the following NARM skills and MANA core competencies learned under clinical supervision:
NARM Skills
I. Midwifery Counseling, Education and Communication
(1)-I A. Provides interactive support and counseling and/or referral services to the mother regarding her relationships with her significant others and other healthcare providers
(3)I C. Provides education and counseling based on maternal health/reproductive/family history and on-going risk assessment
(7)-I G. Applies the principles of informed consent
(8)-I H. Provides individualized care
VI. Well-Women Care
(144)-VI E. Provides education
(145)-VI F. Assesses client’s family planning history and needs: counsels/prescribes
(146)-VI G. Provides opportunity for client to discuss problems or concerns
(147)-VI H. Refers client to other healthcare professionals, services, agencies, or other, as indicated
Learning Activities:
- Student reads appropriate sections from the Learning Materials/Resources.
- Student answers the questions listed in the Learning Objectives by researching the Learning Materials/Resources for the course and correctly cites the sources and page numbers for each of their answers.
- Student presents answers the questions listed in the Learning Objectives for review by preceptor.
- Student participates in preceptor elaboration/discussion of Learning Objectives.
- The student must research, prepare & present a summary of current best midwifery care/practices appropriate to a topic covered in this course from a current journal article/study, less than 5 years old.
- Recommended Role-playing and/or Clinical Interactions
Note: The clinical requirement of NARM /Clinical Skills is completed at any time throughout the ASM apprenticeship during actual clinical practice and is NOT a requirement to complete this academic course.
Activities specific to NARM skills learned in this section:
1. Create a reference chart with the different forms of birth control and their theoretical rates of effectiveness to discuss with clients.
2. Create a reference chart with different forms of birth control that are considered safe during breastfeeding.
3. Show another student or preceptor how to effectively use spermicide with a diaphragm.
4. Arrange a day to shadow a nurse-practitioner in a Planned Parenthood or other county health agency clinic that provides well-woman care.
5. Create several documents that outline herbal/dietary protocols for the treatment of common reproductive tract infections to give to clients.
Learning Materials / Resources:
Please use textbooks less than 5 years old or most recent edition.
1. Romm, Aviva Jill. Botanical Medicine for Women's Health. 2nd edition. Churchhill Livingstone Publishers. 2017.
2. Tharpe, Nell and Farley, Cindy. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Midwifery and Women’s Health. 4th edition. Jones and Bartlett Publishing. 2012
3. Manning, Loretta. Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy. 4th edition. ICAN Publishing, Inc. 2013.
4. Misoprostol in obstetrics and gynecology website 2011. www.misoprostol.org
5. The North American Menopause Society website 2011. www.menopause.org
Resources for all Courses:
MEAC Abbreviated NARM Skills Form: http://www.midwiferycollege.org/AcademicProgram/Downloads/ASM/Clinical/Form-NARMSkills.pdf
MEAC Essential Competencies: http://www.midwiferycollege.org/downloads/worddocs/Curriculum-Checklist-of-Essential-Competencies-rev-2014.pdf
Midwives Model of Care®: http://cfmidwifery.org/mmoc/brochures.aspx
Students must find 1 article/study less than 5 years old. Recommended internet links as needed for latest developments in midwifery care: https://www.midwiferycollege.edu/resources-national-college-of-midwi
Evaluation Tools / Methods:
Minimum passing grade for each course is a cumulative 80% / B-. Students and preceptors are encouraged to work together until the student masters the information.
Final grade for the course is based on preceptor evaluation of the following:
A. Learning Objectives count for 50% of the final grade.
The preceptor evaluates each answer based on three elements:
1. Answers should reflect a thorough review of current literature regarding best current practices in midwifery care.
2. Each answer should be formed in the student’s own words or paraphrased from the text. The answer should be minimal, not a re-write of the entire text, but enough to show appropriate comprehension of the learning objective.
3. Student identification of sources and page numbers for each of the Learning Objectives. (Preceptor should do a random check to determine that sources cited are correctly identified.)
B. Enrichment Activities, including research essays and summaries of articles: 20%
C. Discussions: 15%
D. Tests and Exams: 15%
Course credit:
One Academic credit equals approximately 15 hours of formal time plus 30 hours of additional study or homework. Formal time is defined as the amount of time taken to answer the Learning Objectives to the level of 80% and to complete any learning activities to the preceptor's satisfaction, including any time spent face to face with the preceptor. Informal time includes any time spent actively reading relevant sources and textbook/s, researching Learning Objectives, and studying for examinations.
Learning Objectives:
A. The student must research, prepare & present a summary of an aspect of current best midwifery care/practices appropriate a topic from this course from a current journal article/study.
B. Student answers the questions below and cites the sources and page numbers.
1. Discuss the pharmacology of emergency contraception. How does it act to reduce the chances of conception after unprotected sex?
2. Give the standard dose and route of administration of emergency contraception.
3. Describe the contraindications and side effects of emergency contraception.
4. Describe the pharmacology of spermicide. How does it act to kill sperm?
5. Describe the standard dose and route of administration of spermicide.
6. Describe the contraindications of spermicide use.
7. Describe the pharmacology of injectable hormone contraception (Depo-Provera).
8. Describe the standard dose, route and timing of administration of Depo-Provera.
9. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with Depo-Provera.
10. Discuss the pharmacology of progestin-only pills. How do they work to prevent pregnancy?
11. Describe the standard dose and route of Progestin-only pills.
12. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with progestin only pills.
13. Discuss the pharmacology of Implanon (subdermal implant). How does it work to prevent pregnancy?
14. Describe the standard dose and route of Implanon.
15. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with Implanon.
16. Discuss the pharmacology of combination estrogen and progestin hormonal birth control pills. How do they work to prevent pregnancy?
17. Describe the standard dose and route of the combination hormone birth control pill. Include a brief distinction between low-dose, ninety-day, and year round pills.
18. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with combination pills.
19. Discuss the pharmacology of transdermal birth control patch. How does it work to prevent pregnancy?
20. Describe the standard dose and route of a transdermal birth control patch.
21. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with a transdermal birth control patch.
22. Discuss the pharmacology of the contraceptive vaginal ring. How does it work to prevent pregnancy?
23. Describe the standard dose and route the contraceptive vaginal ring.
24. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with the contraceptive vaginal ring.
25. Discuss the pharmacology of a hormonal IUD. How does it work to prevent pregnancy?
26. Describe the standard dose and route of a hormonal IUD.
27. Describe any contraindications and side effects associated with a hormonal IUD.
28. Discuss the pharmacology of mifepristone (RU-486) in its use as a medical abortion agent. How does this drug act to end pregnancy?
29. Discuss the dose, route and timing of administration of mifepristone as an abortion agent.
30. Discuss contraindications and side effects associated with mifepristone.
31. Discuss the pharmacology of misoprostol (Cytotec) as an medical abortion agent. How does this drug act to end pregnancy?
32. Discuss the dose, route, and timing of administration of misoprostol as an abortion agent.
33. Discuss contraindications and side-effects associated with the use of misoprostol.
34. Explain of the significance of using a drug such as misoprostol (cytotec) for an “off-label” use that is not FDA approved.
35. Discuss the use of homeopathic remedies in the recovery process after a medical abortion.
36. Discuss the use of herbal remedies in the recovery process after a medical abortion.
37. Briefly discuss the pharmacology of hormone replacement therapy for the treatment of symptoms related to menopause.
38. Describe the side effects and contraindications associated with hormone replacement therapy.
39. Discuss the pharmaceutical agents that are often prescribed for treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
40. What is the dose, route and frequency of these agents used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis?
41. Describe an herbal douche that can be used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Include details such as herb ratios, timing and contraindications.
42. Discuss how garlic can be used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
43. Describe another herbal protocol for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis that is not yet listed. Include the dose, route and contraindications of this protocol.
44. Briefly discuss the pharmaceutical agents that are used in the treatment of genital candidiasis (yeast infection).
45. Discuss the different protocols for drug treatment of candidiasis and their relative effectiveness.
46. Discuss the use of cranberry, cranberry extract and cranberry juice in the treatment of candidiasis. What action does the cranberry have against candidiasis?
47. Discuss probiotic and yogurt therapy in the treatment of candidiasis. What is the rationale behind its use?
48. Discuss herbal suppositories in the treatment of candidiasis. Give an example of at least one type, how it is used and what its expected effect is.
49. Discuss the use of pharmaceutical agents in the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV). What agents are most commonly used and what are their expected effects?
50. Discuss a herbal/dietary protocol for management HSV. Include when it should be used and its desired effect.
51. Discuss vitamin therapy for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV). What vitamins are said to have an effect on HPV?
52. Discuss the use of pharmaceutical agents in the treatment of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS). What agents are often prescribed and what is the rationale for their use?
53. Discuss an herbal protocol for the treatment of PMS
54. Discuss a vitamin protocol for the treatment of PMS.
55. Discuss at least two herbs that are used in the treatment of hot flashed associated with menopause.
56. Discuss at least two herbs that are used in the treatment of vaginal dryness associated with menopause.
57. Discuss at least two herbs that are associated with sleepiness/night sweats associated with menopause.
58. Discuss two homeopathic remedies that are associated with the relief of symptoms related to menopause. Include a brief explanation of the substance each remedy is derived from.
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