Janel Soucie , Jennifer Arnoldi , Katherine E. Banker , Nicole Carace , Lindsey Dayer , Richard O'Brocta , Eliza Dy-Boarman
{"title":"Preceptor perspectives on disability-related accommodations in pharmacy experiential education","authors":"Janel Soucie , Jennifer Arnoldi , Katherine E. Banker , Nicole Carace , Lindsey Dayer , Richard O'Brocta , Eliza Dy-Boarman","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102234","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102234","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards require reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities in an educational setting. There is limited information regarding preceptor experiences and perspectives associated with accommodations in the pharmacy experiential learning environment. This study examined preceptor experiences and viewpoints and explored opportunities for schools/colleges of pharmacy (S/COP) to provide support and education for preceptors when meeting access needs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A collaborative team from seven S/COP experiential programs developed, pilot tested, and electronically distributed a questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on preceptor demographics, experiences with disability-related accommodations, concerns and confidence in implementation, support from the academic institution, and additional needs. An open-ended question was analyzed using thematic analysis, and quantitative responses were described using descriptive statistics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 294 respondents consented to participate, met inclusion criteria, and submitted a questionnaire response (∼5 % response rate). Many respondents had not experienced requests for accommodation. The most common challenges related to implementation of accommodations were lack of clarity regarding the accommodation request (22 %) and uncertainty regarding how to apply the accommodation within the preceptor's practice (23 %). Most respondents (76 %) felt they would benefit from professional development in this area. Thematic analysis of free-text responses indicated a desire for resources, education, and for advanced notice when accommodation is needed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>While many preceptors may not have received requests for accommodation, opportunities exist for S/COP related to preceptor education, provision of resources, and transparent and proactive communication between the academic institution and the preceptor to support students with disabilities.</div></div><div><h3>Contribution to the literature</h3><div>Requests for accommodations in the experiential education setting are an increasingly important topic for those involved in pharmacy experiential education, including directors, preceptors, and sites. The current body of literature published to date provides guidance, resources, strategies, and reviews of legal implications to consider when developing accommodations for experiential education. Additional literature provides insights from schools and colleges of pharmacy. However, there is limited information available regarding preceptor experiences and perspectives associated with accommodations in the pharmacy experiential learning environment. This manuscript outlines a study examining preceptor experiences and viewpoints. The results provide insight into preceptor perspectives as well as potential future opportunities for sch","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102234"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142689205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T'Bony Jewell , Ashley M. Lohmann , E. Michael Murphy , Jennifer L. Rodis
{"title":"Practice transformation starts in the classroom: Mapping practice change learning in a PharmD program","authors":"T'Bony Jewell , Ashley M. Lohmann , E. Michael Murphy , Jennifer L. Rodis","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>As the profession of pharmacy continues to evolve, it is important to integrate pharmacy practice change learning into the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum. The objective of this project was to evaluate how pharmacy practice change was being taught within a PharmD curriculum and to identify strategies for improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The College of Pharmacy's PharmD Curricular Leadership Committee (PDCLC) developed a definition for practice change learning and assembled a team of faculty experts to map practice change to the PharmD curriculum. After conducting student focus groups to gather input on practice change learning experiences and importance from the learner perspective, the team engaged faculty in interviews and mapped actual practice change learning experiences with 2016 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards and Ohio State University (OSU) College of pharmacy's (COP) ability-based outcomes, highlighting gaps and opportunities.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Primary opportunities for improvement in practice change learning were identified and included: integration of value-based outcomes that influence healthcare reimbursement and quality, communication simulations around community health and the value of the pharmacist with organizations outside traditional healthcare settings and with payors, and exposure to careers beyond traditional pharmacy settings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A faculty member has been appointed to lead integration of this content and optimization of practice change knowledge and skill building across courses and years in the program. Future directions involve curricular integration and obtaining alumni feedback to refine effectiveness of the curriculum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102230"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142676582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Kidwai , D. Rojas-Velazquez , A. Lopez-Rincon , A.D. Kraneveld , D.L. Oberski , I. Meijerman
{"title":"Keeping pace in the age of innovation: The perspective of Dutch pharmaceutical science students on the position of machine learning training in an undergraduate curriculum","authors":"S. Kidwai , D. Rojas-Velazquez , A. Lopez-Rincon , A.D. Kraneveld , D.L. Oberski , I. Meijerman","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102231","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102231","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Over the years, approaches of the pharmaceutical industry to discover and develop drugs have changed rapidly due to new scientific trends. Among others, they have started to explore Machine Learning (ML), a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a promising tool to generate new hypotheses regarding drug candidate selections for clinical trials and to predict adverse side effects. Despite these recent developments, the possibilities of ML in pharmaceutical sciences have so far hardly penetrated the training of pharmaceutical science students. <sup>1, 2</sup> Therefore, as part of an elective course, an introductory module on ML was developed at Utrecht University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study was to assess student’ views on the module set-up, and their perspectives on ML within pharmaceutical science curricula.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Semi-structured interviews over three years were conducted with 15 students participating in the module.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The students valued the well-designed and effective delivered module. They were personally motivated to learn more about ML in a future master or research internship. The students now perceive a lack of possibilities for ML training in pharmaceutical sciences education and indicate the value of incorporating ML opportunities for their future career.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Integrating ML training into pharmaceutical sciences curricula is needed to keep future drug researchers up to date with drug research advancements, enhancing their skills, academic development, and career prospects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102231"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William E. Norton Jr , Clark D. Kebodeaux , Adam Phillips , Krista L. Donohoe , Lauren M. Caldas
{"title":"Live and learn: Utilizing MyDispense to increase student knowledge and confidence in caring for patients with diverse religious backgrounds","authors":"William E. Norton Jr , Clark D. Kebodeaux , Adam Phillips , Krista L. Donohoe , Lauren M. Caldas","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The American Council for Pharmacy Education outlines that pharmacists should be able to “recognize social determinants of health to diminish disparities and inequities in access to quality care.” This randomized, cross-sectional study assessed students' knowledge and confidence in caring for patients with diverse religious backgrounds. Students were assigned to either a series of religious cases created in MyDispense or a control group to read a pamphlet on religious considerations in patient care.</div></div><div><h3>Impact</h3><div>First-year pharmacy students, 44 of 82 (response rate 53.7 %), consented to participate in an optional study, and were randomized to complete one of two religious educational interventions: an interactive simulation activity delivered via MyDispense (<em>n</em> = 23) or the control group of reading an educational pamphlet (<em>n</em> = 21). Both the MyDispense simulation and the control group improved pre- and post-assessment knowledge-based questions and confidence to achieve the three learning objectives.</div></div><div><h3>Recommendations</h3><div>There were three significant limitations to this study. The first was the use of a control group that limited the sample sizes making it difficult to show meaningful changes. The second that students had limited experience with the MyDispense platform making the ease of completing the active-learning religious simulations confounded by also learning the dispensing system. Finally, control group students utilized the pamphlet during the post-assessment, which was not the intention of the study design and significantly limited the ability to identify changes within and between the groups.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Future studies will need to use alternative study design methods to determine how religious cultural sensitivity may best be incorporated into the pharmacy curriculum.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102232"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring community pharmacy work experience impact on errors and omissions performance and MyDispense perceptions","authors":"Rashi C. Waghel , Jennifer A. Wilson","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102235","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102235","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Student pharmacists must learn to identify errors and omissions (E&O). MyDispense can provide students, especially those without previous pharmacy experience, the opportunity to practice this skill. One institution explored the relationship between previous community pharmacy experience and performance on E&O activities in a skills lab. It also examined student perceptions of using MyDispense for these activities.</div></div><div><h3>Educational activity</h3><div>Students participated in five E&O activities over the P1 spring semester. Afterwards, students were surveyed to determine amount of previous community pharmacy work experience and perceptions of using MyDispense for these activities. Amount of experience was correlated to performance on E&O activities using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Descriptive statistics helped quantify student perceptions.</div></div><div><h3>Evaluation findings</h3><div>Of 71 enrolled students, 63 (89 %) completed the questionnaire. Forty-four respondents indicated having some amount of previous community pharmacy work experience. There was a slight positive correlation between amount of experience and average performance across all five E&O activities, <em>r</em><sub><em>s</em></sub>(61) = 0.20, <em>p</em> = 0.115. The correlation was strongest for performance on the first activity, <em>r</em><sub><em>s</em></sub>(61) = 0.34, <em>p</em> = 0.006 but weakened with subsequent activities. Most students with prior experience (81.8 %) felt this was somewhat or very helpful for completing E&O activities. At course conclusion, 93.7 % of respondents reported being somewhat or very confident in identifying errors and omissions, and 82.5 % recommended continuing MyDispense for E&O activities.</div></div><div><h3>Analysis of educational activity</h3><div>Previous community pharmacy work experience may have benefited students on their first E&O activity. However, repeated activities through MyDispense, a realistic simulation platform, was one way to provide all learners, regardless of previous experience, the opportunity to master the skill of identifying E&Os.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142649313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integration of medicinal chemistry in therapeutic decision-making: A way forward?","authors":"Ed S. Krol , Simon P. Albon","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102229","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many attempts have been made to integrate medicinal chemistry knowledge into therapeutic decision-making in pharmacy programs across North America. Examples include the use of Structure-Based Therapeutic Evaluations, alignment of medicinal chemistry content with courses in pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacotherapeutics, and team-based or problem-based learning methods. The majority of these approaches indicate that students have greater confidence or comfort with medicinal chemistry, but there remain few cases where an improvement in performance has been measured. This is especially challenging for assessing a student's ability to implement medicinal chemistry learning in pharmacotherapeutic decision-making. Building upon our national special interest group's recent environmental scan of medicinal chemistry instruction in Canadian Pharmacy programs, we are investigating strategies for integration of medicinal chemistry learning in therapeutic decision-making. This commentary will discuss methods and evidence to support medicinal chemistry integration, relevant assessment strategies, and potential paths forward.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102229"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Student-to-faculty ratios and NAPLEX pass rates","authors":"David P. Nau, Kelly M. Shields","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>ACPE newly approved standards for PharmD programs (Standards 2025) indicates that colleges should maintain a student-to-faculty ratio of no greater than 10:1. This may have significant implications for colleges that are currently above the 10:1 ratio; yet, little published evidence exists for using 10:1 as the threshold for determining whether a college has sufficient faculty. This study examines the relationship of student-to-faculty ratio with NAPLEX first-attempt pass rate.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were extracted from AACP institutional research reports for academic year 2022 to determine the number of enrolled students and faculty members for each college of pharmacy, and data were obtained from NABP public reports to determine NAPLEX pass rates for the colleges across 2021–2023. The 3-year average NAPLEX first-attempt pass rate for each college was calculated. The 3-year NAPLEX pass rate was compared between colleges with high (>10:1) and low (≤ 10:1) student-to-faculty ratios.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Complete data were available for 138 colleges of pharmacy wherein 29 of those colleges had a student-to-faculty ratio of at least 10:1. Of the 29 colleges with a high ratio, 24 were private institutions. The mean 3-year first attempt pass rate for NAPLEX was not substantially different for colleges that had a student-to-faculty ratio > 10:1 when compared to colleges with a ratio ≤ 10:1 (mean difference = 3.67 percentage points).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The NAPLEX first-attempt pass rate does not differ substantially between colleges based solely on student-to-faculty ratio. Additional research is needed to identify other factors that may explain these differences in program outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102237"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mary L. Wagner , Ethan A. Lim , Marta Galagoza , Kyeongra Yang , Anita Van Wingerden
{"title":"Use of SMART objectives in an interprofessional training event: screening for fall and osteoporosis risk","authors":"Mary L. Wagner , Ethan A. Lim , Marta Galagoza , Kyeongra Yang , Anita Van Wingerden","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>SMART objectives are a major component of health coaching and lifestyle medicine, however, there are limited studies describing their use in current health care curriculums. This study incorporated SMART objectives within an Interprofessional Education (IPE) event offered to students who were screening community-dwelling adults within their community for falls and osteoporosis risk. The purpose was to evaluate if students could confidently develop a SMART objective with their client that was relevant to the screening results.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Student participants were recruited from pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy programs at Rutgers University. The IPE event consisted of an educational pre-session assignment, 2-h virtual training session, student-led home screening with a self-selected community volunteer, and a 2-h virtual educational and debriefing session. Students taught peers through interprofessional education on their respective discipline's screening assessment tools during each session. Based on the screening results, students collaborated with their clients to develop a SMART objective aimed at addressing an identified problem.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Post 3 yearly programs, 520 pharmacy, nursing, and DPT students completed the SMART objective, and 518 SMART objectives were analyzed. Analysis indicated all students were about 90 % confident in developing SMART objectives and 92 % confident in communicating with clients. Most students, regardless of discipline, felt comfortable developing a SMART objective and communicating with clients.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A significant number of people screened were found to have risk factors for falls or osteoporosis. Regardless of discipline, students worked with their client to develop appropriate SMART objectives. SMART objectives can enhance IPE programs, curriculums that include client counseling regarding lifestyle changes, and client engagement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102236"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142644901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juliette A. Miller , Russ Palmer, Beth Bryles Phillips, Michael Fulford, Rebecca H. Stone, Blake R. Johnson, Devin Lavender
{"title":"Effect of pass/fail grading vs. letter grading on pharmacy students' achievement goal orientations","authors":"Juliette A. Miller , Russ Palmer, Beth Bryles Phillips, Michael Fulford, Rebecca H. Stone, Blake R. Johnson, Devin Lavender","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102200","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102200","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In the Fall of 2021, the grading scale for a pharmacotherapy case-based series of recitations in a pharmacy practice course was modified from a letter grade format to a pass/fail format. The aim of this study was to assess how different formats of grading affected pharmacy students' achievement goal orientations based on the 2 × 2 conceptual framework developed by Eliot and Harackiewicz (i.e. performance-approach, performance-avoidance, mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Second-year pharmacy students who completed recitations in a pass/fail format and third-year students who completed recitations in a letter grade format received a questionnaire containing a Likert instrument (the Achievement Goal Questionnaire-Revised) that was previously validated and designed to evaluate students' achievement goal orientations along four different sub-scales. Baseline characteristics of the two groups were compared, and appropriate statistics were applied to the demographic information and questionnaire results.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Questionnaires were completed by 99 % (<em>n</em> = 268) of pharmacy students (132 second-year students and 136 third-year students). There were higher mean scores for mastery-approach (4.7 v. 4.2; <em>P</em> < .001), mastery-avoidance (3.7 v. 3.4; <em>P</em> = .006), performance-approach (4.3 v. 3.9; <em>P</em> < .001), and performance-avoidance (4.1 v. 3.8; <em>P</em> = .010) for the second-year (pass/fail) students compared with third-year (letter grade) students.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Second-year pharmacy students who took a case-based series of recitations with a pass/fail grading scale had higher mean scores for each of the sub-scales within Eliot and Harackiewicz's 2 × 2 goal orientation framework compared with third-year pharmacy students who took the recitations in a letter grade format. Using the study results along with current literature on goal orientation theory, it may be beneficial to pharmacy students in courses with both pass/fail and letter grade formats for educators to encourage approach goal orientations while discouraging avoidance goal orientations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102200"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142630525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Benjamin Shultz, Jeffrey Mucksavage, Kristen Goliak, Jen Phillips, Mathew Thambi
{"title":"Investigating the perceptions and behaviors that contribute to student preparation for the NAPLEX exam","authors":"Benjamin Shultz, Jeffrey Mucksavage, Kristen Goliak, Jen Phillips, Mathew Thambi","doi":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) is a critical assessment for pharmacy graduates. Declining first-time pass rates have led to increased focus on preparation strategies. This study evaluates a year-long NAPLEX preparation curriculum integrated into the fourth-year PharmD program, focusing on student perceptions, engagement, and performance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A longitudinal, structured NAPLEX preparation curriculum was implemented for 151 fourth-year pharmacy students. The curriculum included mandatory assessments aligned with the NAPLEX blueprint and a self-directed study component using the UWorld Pharmacy RxPrep platform. Student engagement was quantified using a Usage Index derived from platform activity logs. A post-curriculum survey assessed students' perceptions of the program, which was analyzed using Principal Components Analysis (PCA).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Variability in student engagement was observed, with the Usage Index showing a moderate correlation with performance on NAPLEX-style assessments. PCA identified four key components influencing students' NAPLEX preparation: Perceived Usefulness, Curriculum Effectiveness, Temporal Utilization, and Strategic Preparedness. Temporal Utilization was the only component strongly correlated with assessment outcomes, highlighting the importance of consistent resource use.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Regular engagement with preparation resources was linked to better performance, though student perceptions of usefulness did not always align with exam performance. This highlights the complexity of preparing for high-stakes exams, where subjective evaluations of resources may not fully capture their effectiveness.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study underscores the need for consistent engagement with preparation resources and highlights potential areas for improvement in NAPLEX preparation strategies. Future research should focus on strategies to improve student engagement and enhance self-assessment skills to better align perceptions with performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47501,"journal":{"name":"Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning","volume":"17 2","pages":"Article 102228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142628632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}