AN EVALUATION OF A COLLEGE-STRUCTURED PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM FOR FIFTH-YEAR PHARMACY STUDENTS

In 1973, the Joint Committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy proposed broad goals for practical experience programs within pharmacy education. These programs are to make it possible for the student to transfer academic knowledge to pharmacy practice and to develop the confidence, technical skills, professional judgment and competency necessary for entrance into the pharmacy profession.; The object of this research project was to determine if pharmacy graduates believe that a college-supervised practical experience program, using the course developed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy as a model, did "bridge the gap" between theory taught in the classroom and the contemporary practice of pharmacy. A survey of graduates who had completed the course and had been in practice for at least sixteen months was made by using a self-administered mail questionnaire.; Response rate to the questionnaire was 87.6%. From the trends of the findings in this study the practical experience program does provide the student with knowledge and skills not acquired in the classroom. The majority of students reportedly attained the practical experience necessary for professional practice. Of the respondents, 91.4% considered themselves at least moderately confident to practice pharmacy. Two-thirds of the respondents indicated learning at least a moderate number of skills in community practice and 75% of the respondents indicated learning at least a moderate number of skills in hospital pharmacy. Of the respondents 81.5% felt at least moderately competent to practice community pharmacy and 72.8% felt at least moderately competent to practice hospital pharmacy upon completion of the course.; The course does introduce many students to an area of pharmacy never before experienced. This exposure may help students decide upon future employment goals. One-fourth of the respondents indicated that the practical experience program changed their career goals.; A majority of respondents felt that they became proficient enough during the course to make professional judgments in community pharmacies (64.8%) and in hospital pharmacies (51.9%). Two-thirds of the respondents did apply, at least moderately, academic knowledge to practical situations in both community and hospital pharmacy.; The adequacy of the four-week time period assigned to each site was evaluated. The graduates indicated the period was adequate in community pharmacy (71%) and in hospital pharmacy (59.9%), although 30% of the respondents felt it was too short for training in hospital pharmacy. The majority (77.8%) of the students felt that they were ready to take the State Board of Pharmacy practical examination upon completion of the practical experience program.; The one-day experience with a pharmaceutical sales representative during the course was of value to the graduate. Three-quarters of the graduates who interacted with a sales representative found it to be informative and 37% of this group wanted to extend the period by several days.; Seventy-five percent of the respondents were satisfied with their current employment. Of the respondents, 80% are more receptive to other areas of pharmacy practice because of experiences gained through the practical experience program.