Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Structure of the Day: Practical Innovative Technology-based Activity to Enhance Students’ Learning Through Inter-Departmental Collaboration

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

6-2013

Journal Title

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Volume

77

Issue

5

First Page

46

Article Number

109

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of this technique on students’ ability to integrate science into practice.

Method: Concepts of formulary management and its applications in clinical practice is a challenge faced by many first professional year pharmacy students. This challenge may be attributed to a lack of foundational knowledge and practical skills at this level. Preparing students for lifelong learning mandates early exposure to practical application of concepts. This warrants the need for students to integrate knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes in clinical practice. An institutionally structured curriculum permits concurrent administration of standalone but related courses through inter-departmental collaboration. Connecting the dots in drug information, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics was identified as a creative means to accomplish this goal. A comprehensive literature search to identify existing models was conducted in Pubmed, IPA, Embase, CINAHL, and alternate resources from inception to 2013 without success. A Pre-class interactive technology-based “Structure of the Day” activity was created utilizing the Moodle course platform, Accelerys, and Soft chalk software. Students identified functional groups on new molecular entities, determined the relationships to pharmacological properties, pharmocokinetic profiles, and their applications to drug formulary management. Application activities via in-class discussions and debate were implemented to assess knowledge, attitude and ability to integrate the basic sciences into skill-building activity.

Results: The expected outcome was captured through the sequential activities facilitated by an audience response system. Details will be presented at the conference.

Implications: The investigators plan to implement this technique in the curriculum.

Keywords

Pharmacy students, technology-based learning, pedagogy, inter-departmental collaboration, cirriculum

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS