Visual Thinking to Explore “Relational Pharmacology”: Systemic Maps for Managing Non-Selective Antidepressants in Cardiovascular Prevention

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new teaching method using visual maps to help students understand complex drug interactions, especially in managing antidepressants for heart health.

Contribution

The novelty lies in using systemic maps and visual thinking to teach pharmacology beyond traditional linear models.

Findings

Systemic maps help students grasp drug interactions across multiple body systems.

This approach improves risk assessment and clinical decision-making in polypharmacy scenarios.

Abstract

Relational pharmacology introduces an innovative approach using visual thinking to understand how drugs interact with multiple body systems, addressing the limitations of the traditional “reductionist approach”. While conventional pharmacology focuses on individual drug effects, it struggles with the complexities of polypharmacy, where multiple medications interact via shared metabolic pathways. This article highlights integrating systemic maps into educational methodologies to empower students in identifying and assessing medication risks. By visualizing the body and drug therapy as interconnected systems, students can better understand complex pharmacological interactions beyond linear frameworks. This approach enables active learning and real-life case analysis, such as cardiovascular prevention with non-selective antidepressants, where multiple drug interactions must be considered. It also fosters global health education by promoting the exchange of effective teaching practices and addressing challenges in healthcare training. Systemic maps prepare students for clinical decision-making by enhancing their ability to manage risks and complex cases effectively.

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