Linda Garavalia

Admission Variables Predictive of Academic Struggle in a PharmD Program

Objective. To characterize and describe admission variables predictive of poor grade attainment by students in 2 pathways to a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program. Methods. A retrospective analysis of course grades of PharmD students admitted from 2000 to 2009 (N= 1,019) in the traditional degree pathway (“1 plus 5” degree program) and the provisional pathway (admitted directly from high school) was performed. Results. Four hundred three grades of D or less were earned by 183 (18%) students. There were more grades of D or less in the first pharmacy year. Receipt of an unsatisfactory grade was associated with all Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) subcategory scores, PCAT composite score, cumulative prepharmacy coursework hours, prepharmacy grade point average (GPA), prepharmacy science and math GPA, and interview score for accepted students in the traditional pathway. For students in the provisional pathway, PCAT-quantitative analysis, PCAT composite score, prepharmacy cumulative GPA, prepharmacy science and math GPA, English American College Testing (ACT) score, and composite ACT score predicted poor grades. Conclusion. Admissions committees should heed PCAT scores and GPAs, regardless of program pathway, while progression committees should focus on early program coursework when designing strategies to optimize retention.

Use of Online Modules to Enhance Knowledge and Skills Application During an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

Objectives. To implement and assess the effectiveness of online instructional modules to increase the consistency of learning outcomes related to students’ patient-care practice knowledge and their skills application and confidence across introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) sites. Design. Twenty online modules were created to provide uniform delivery of instructional content that complemented classroom instruction and to introduce students to common pharmacy-practice skills in the patient-care arena. Assessment. Quantitative data were collected by means of a survey and pre- and post-module quizzes, which were completed by students to assess knowledge. More than 85% of students applied the IPPE skills. During the course, students’ confidence increased significantly in all areas. For all but 1 of the 13 competencies, more than 70% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the competencies were met. Conclusions. Online instructional modules in patient care can effectively increase students’ knowledge, skills application, and confidence, and improve the consistency of achieving outcomes for instructional content and activities across diverse practice settings.

Variety and Quantity of Professional Electives

Objectives. To compare the elective courses offered by US colleges and schools of pharmacy to establish a benchmark for individual colleges and schools to use in assessing whether they offer a sufficient amount and variety of electives. Methods. Internet Web sites of US doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs were reviewed to identify the number of elective lecture-based courses and elective advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) offered and required. Elective courses were grouped into categories to determine the variety of offerings. Results. Pharmacy students were required to complete a mean of 7 hours of classroom-based elective courses. Thirty-two lecture-based elective courses were offered per college or school, and the mean number of categories of courses offered was 24. An average of 3 required APPEs was offered within 24 categories. Conclusions. Pharmacy programs varied in the number of and requirements for elective courses. Most elective courses expanded on what was taught in the required curriculum vs informing on unique concepts or skills.

Exploration of Methods Used by Pharmacy Professional Programs to Contract with Experiential Practice Sites

Objective. To explore methods used by pharmacy programs to attract and sustain relationships with preceptors and experiential practice sites. Methods. Interviews with eight focus groups of pharmacy experiential education experts (n=35) were conducted at two national pharmacy meetings. A semi-structured interview guide was used. Focus group interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and categorically coded independently by two researchers. Codes were compared, consensus was reached through discussion, and two experiential education experts assisted with interpretation of the coded data. Results. Six themes emerged consistently across focus groups: a perceived increase in preceptor compensation, intended vs actual use of payments by sites, concern over renegotiation of established compensation, costs and benefits of experiential students, territorialism, and motives. Conclusion. Fostering a culture of collaboration may counteract potentially competitive strategies to gain sites. Participants shared a common interest in providing high-quality experiential learning where sites and preceptors participated for altruistic reasons, rather than compensation.