Maria Felton Lowry, Jennifer Pruskowski, Rene Claxton, Lucas A Berenbrok
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: To develop and pilot a novel palliative care elective course and assess its impact on 3rd professional year (P3) student pharmacist's attitudes and skills in palliative care utilizing skills-based assessment methods and course evaluations.
Methods: Faculty from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy implemented a semester-long (15-week) elective course in palliative care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of palliative care clinicians. Students were evaluated by pre- and post- standardized patient assessments, and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare pre- and post- assessment scores. Students completed post-course evaluations and content was analyzed to transform student-perceived learning takeaways into themes.
Results: Twenty-two students participated in the course across years 2023 and 2024. Pre- and post-assessment data from a standardized patient activity showed improvement in student palliative care skills including patient assessment, formulating pharmacologic recommendation, verbal communication, and written documentation of recommendations after participating in this elective course. Seven themes were identified through content analysis of student evaluations which encompassed knowledge gained in areas of both generalist and specialist palliative care.
Conclusion: Integrating skills-based assessment was an objective way to assess the impact our palliative care elective course had on student pharmacist skill development. Our palliative care elective course improved student palliative care attitude and skills evidenced by course evaluations and skills-based assessment.
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