Paediatric Prescribing Principles (PPP)

An eLearning module aimed at all pediatricians, from trainee to consultant, and any health professionals with a role in prescribing drugs for children and young people.

All healthcare professionals with drug prescribing, dispensing and administration responsibilities require training and support to ensure they are competent and confident in this important area. Paediatricians must prove they are competent in this area through a number of assessments throughout their training and revalidation.

Hospital Trusts require evidence of paediatric prescribing skills, familiarity with dose and administration problems in children, and the ability to use the British National Formulary for Children. The RCPCH recognises the need for safe prescribing and its strategy is developed and led by the Education & Training Division in collaboration with the Medicines Committee.

Aims and Objectives

There is an imperative to eradicate serious and dangerous prescribing errors and the RCPCH aims to support its members and other healthcare professional by providing quality reviewed accessible education.

Curriculum

The e-Learning course is broken in to three sessions covering Drug Metabolism, Adverse Drug Reactions and Prescribing in Paediatrics. The course is self-paced and will take you no more than 1.5 hours to complete, spread over as long a period as convenient to you. You can also revisit any pages at any time.

You will receive a certificate for completing the course, accredited by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health as continuing professional development for 1.5 CPD credits.

Learning Outcomes

This online learning resource aims to help practitioners to:

  • Understand the physiological changes that occur during childhood, which affect drug metabolism, including the impact on genetics and chronic diseases.
  • Explain what adverse drug reactions are, see some examples of when they occur, and understand what to do if they are suspected.
  • Understand the principles of safe prescribing and drug administration including errors may occur and methods to improve prescribing practice and patient safety.

This is an RCPCH quality assured course.

Access the course on RCPCH Learning

Project Lead: Education Provision Team

Organisation: RCPCH

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