Perceptions of Pharmacy students about their competences for professional practice in community pharmacy

Abstract Pharmaceutical education should enable the development of competences for community pharmacy practice, which is an important field for the pharmacist workforce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the competences perceived by pharmacy interns from a Brazilian pharmacy school for community pharmacy practice. This study adopted a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. The study cohort included undergraduate students who undertook internships in community pharmacy in the final year of the pharmacy course. Students responded to an 11-item structured questionnaire according to a five-point Likert scale that included perceptions of their competences for community pharmacy practice. Among the 693 possible answers, 605 (87.3%) agreed that the course promoted the development of competences for professional practice in community pharmacy. Less than 70% of students perceived themselves as prepared to respond to symptoms and provide non-prescription medicines. Qualitative analysis of the comments revealed three themes: the need to improve patient information skills, improve practice as a member of a health care team, and improve dispensing according to legal requirements. These findings may support improvements in undergraduate pharmacy programs, such as the inclusion of experiential learning, active learning methods, interprofessional education, and development of clinical skills.

An update on characteristics of dual PharmD/MBA programs in the United States: 2016-2017.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to update current literature on the characteristics of dual doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) and master of business administration (MBA) programs in the United States. METHODS: After a preliminary search of institutions' websites for public information regarding PharmD/MBA programs, an email was sent to representatives of each school requesting additional promotional or program information that was not found online. After the data was collected and organized, an electronic survey was sent to each representative. Characteristics obtained include those related to program history, student and school demographics, enrollment requirements, and program structure. RESULTS: Sixty-six schools of pharmacy were included in the study and asked to complete an electronic survey, and 36 (54%) programs responded. The oldest program was established 29 years ago, while most of the programs (43%) have been active for 11 to 20 years. Programs were similar in enrollment requirements, point of entry, and time to dual degree completion. Programs varied in the program structure, including how dual degrees are awarded. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides updated information about the characteristics of dual PharmD/MBA programs across the United States. This information may be useful to programs interested in developing or modifying existing dual programs and to students deciding whether to pursue a dual PharmD/MBA.

Characteristics of schools of pharmacy associated with a successful PGY1 residency match.

INTRODUCTION: The literature is limited related to school of pharmacy (SOP) characteristics that may impact a student's residency match success. Given the paucity of information, the aim of our study was to examine the association between multiple school specific characteristics and Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) residency match rate. METHODS: PGY1 residency match data and SOP specific characteristics were obtained. The median aggregate match rate was used to categorize programs as high or low match rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the impact of SOP characteristics on match rate. RESULTS: Median match rates were 64% (2013), 63.25% (2014), and 64.25% (2015). Schools with >95% North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) pass rate and >15 funded faculty were more likely to have a high match rate. Private schools were less likely to have a high match rate when compared to public programs. CONCLUSION: SOP characteristics associated with a high likelihood of a successful PGY1 residency match were greater than 95% of NAPLEX® pass rate, more than 15 funded faculty members, and public school status.