A collaborative clinical pharmacy research assistant programme for pharmacy students
Keywords:
Assistant, Clinical, Pharmacy, PreceptorAbstract
Introduction: To expose pharmacy students to research methodologies through didactic and interactive activities and increase student awareness of pharmacy opportunities in the research sector.
Programme Description: Students selected were in their first professional year. All remained in the research programme until the end of their third professional year. Students were selected based on academic and professional year standing, and interest in research. Students were assigned a research mentor and were required to complete a research project and present their research findings.
Evaluation: In Phase I - a monthly progress report from each student documented progress on the research project, evaluated their performance by including their strengths and weaknesses, and outlined their plans for improvement.
Future Plans: An expansion (Phase II) of the pilot study is being implemented. In Phase II, the students and the preceptors will be required to submit quarterly evaluations of each other’s performance in addition to the monthly documentation.
References
American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (2003) Acute Shortage of Faculty at U.S. Pharmacy Schools Threatens Efforts to Solve Nation's Pharmacist (online). Available at: http://www.afpenet.org/news_ acute_ shortage.htm. Accessed 19th March, 2014.
Blouin, R.A. (2007) Report of the AACP educating clinical scientists task force. Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 71(4), Article S05.
Dutta, A. (2011) Is there a need for more research-based Courses in the PharmD Curriculum. Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 75(5), Article 102.
Gourley, D.R. (2006) Status of PharmD/PhD Programs in Colleges of Pharmacy: The University of Tennessee Dual PharmD/PhD Programs. Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 70(2), Article 44.
National Institute of Health (2008) NIH Expands National Consortium Dedicated to Transforming Clinical and Translational Research (online). Available at: http://www. nih.gov/news/health/may208/ncrr-29.htm. Accessed 15th June, 2009.
Patry, R.A. & Eiland, L.S. (2007) Addressing the Shortage of Pharmacy Faculty and Clinicians: The Impact of Demographic Changes. American Journal Health-System Pharmacy, 64(7), 773-775.
Traynor, K. (2003) Staffing shortages plague nation's pharmacy schools. American Journal Health-System Pharmacy, 60, 1824-1826.
