Best Practices for Self-Awareness and Professionalism to Meet the Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities

Abstract

Objectives

This article frames aspects of self-awareness and professionalism that should be included in pharmacy education and provides best practices for the assessment of these essential attitudes in student pharmacists.

Findings

The intrapersonal component makes this domain challenging to assess and to develop learning experiences that are meaningful to every student. Personalizing the student learning experience via reflective processes, mentorship, portfolios and documentation are useful strategies in addressing the intrapersonal aspects of this domain. A review of the literature identified common themes that assist in development and assessment of key areas in this domain. The themes can be envisioned as a 3-part model: valuing and internalizing, defining and modeling, and opportunities and practicing.

Summary

The development of self-awareness is the gateway to valuing and internalizing components of professionalism and professional identity formation. Students must continually be challenged in a manner that promotes self-development and encourages students to take responsibility for their professional growth. Activities that allow for feedback and continued assessment of improvement in self-awareness and professionalism should be incorporated into curricular and cocurricular activities. Colleges and schools of pharmacy must be intentional about developing a culture that embodies self-awareness and models professional behavior.