Prior Pharmacy Work Experience as a Predictor of Clinical and Didactic Performance for Admissions Committees.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prior pharmacy work experience (PPWE) in admissions to predict clinical and didactic performance. METHODS: In this retrospective study, data from 3 cohorts, classes of 2020-2022, were collected. Multivariate regressions were conducted to determine the impact of PPWE on performance in first-year pharmacy (P1) Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPEs), second-year pharmacy (P2) institutional IPPEs, P2 & third-year pharmacy (P3) Observed Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), Drug Information class and P1, P2, P3 grade point averages (GPAs). RESULTS: Of 329 students, those who had PPWE (n = 210) worked as pharmacy technicians (78%), clerks, cashiers, drivers (10%), or other (12%). The majority worked in community settings (86%) and worked an average of 24 h weekly. PPWE was not associated with any pharmacy school GPAs. Those with PPWE scored 2.17 out of 100% points higher in Drug Information than those who did not. They also scored higher on P1 IPPE performance in communication and pharmacy operations skills; however, these notable differences did not continue in P2 IPPEs or OSCEs. Total hours worked in higher quartiles were also associated with increased scores in P1 IPPE communications skills, P1 IPPE pharmacy operations skills, and Drug Information course scores. CONCLUSION: Prior pharmacy work experience modestly improved pharmacy school performance in selected areas in the P1 year, but the effect did not continue in later years. Students who had PPWE performed better in Drug Information and P1 IPPE communication and pharmacy operations skills.

A summer pharmacy camp for high school students as a pharmacy student recruitment tool.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a summer pharmacy camp on participants' pursuit of enrollment in doctor of pharmacy degree programs. METHODS: All participants (n = 135) in a pharmacy camp at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy from 2007-2010 were invited to complete an anonymous online survey instrument. RESULTS: Seventy-three students completed the survey instrument (54% response rate). Ninety-six percent of pharmacy camp participants said that they would recommend pharmacy camp to a friend, and 76% planned to apply or had applied to doctor of pharmacy degree program. Seven of the camp participants had enrolled in the UAMS College of Pharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacy summer camp at UAMS is effective in maintaining high school students' interest in the profession of pharmacy. Continued use of the pharmacy camp program as a recruitment tool is warranted; however, additional research on this topic is needed.

Missing the point!

A medication order for warfarin sodium was sent by facsimile transmission with a decimal point and trailing zero. The order was incorrectly transcribed as a ten-fold overdose and would almost certainy have been fatal if administered as transcribed. Other hazardously written medication orders are presented with guidelines for safer ordercomposition.