Pharmacy students’ perceptions of ePortfolios in pharmacy education

Authors

  • Cherie Lucas University of Technology Sydney, Graduate School of Health (Pharmacy), Sydney, Australia
  • Jim Woulfe University of Technology Sydney, Graduate School of Health (Pharmacy), Sydney
  • John M Lonie Long Island University, New York
  • Kylie A Williams University of Technology Sydney, Sydney
  • Lorraine Smith The University of Sydney, Sydney

Keywords:

Portfolios, Professional Competency, Reflection

Abstract

Aims: To investigate perceptions of an ePortfolio structure, its utility to support pharmacy student learning, development of reflective capacity, and attainment of professional competencies.

Methods: Mixed-methods two-phase study: Phase 1 (Quantitative): pre- and post-use, 6-item student survey; Phase 2 (Qualitative): 45-minute student focus group.

Results: Survey (n=49, RR 82%) and focus group respondents (n=12) provided their perceptions of ePortfolios. Statistically significant findings between Week 1 and Week 14 indicated that in addition to a time consuming exercise, students perceived that the current structure of the ePortfolio did not fully support their learning; development of their reflective capacity; self-directed learning skills; and professional practice.

Conclusions: Pharmacy students perceived the ePortfolio needed improvements to reach its full potential. Students indicated that maintaining an ePortfolio is a useful tool to track professional competencies, linking digital evidence and reflections. Proposed suggestions were identified for improvement that would enable them to meet curricular competencies.

Author Biographies

Cherie Lucas, University of Technology Sydney, Graduate School of Health (Pharmacy), Sydney, Australia

Dr Cherie Lucas is a lecturer, registered pharmacist, Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor (MHFA), trained pharmacist immuniser and clinical educator with more than 18 years of academic pharmacy teaching experience from The University of Sydney (16 years) and the University of Technology Sydney (approx 3 years). She has lectured, tutored, examined students and written examination papers for both the undergraduate and Masters of Pharmacy courses at The University of Sydney. She has also mentored students and facilitated in the Intern Training Program. Her professional work includes many years as a  clinical hospital pharmacist in various areas including: HIV/AIDS, haematology, respiratory, oncology, cardiology, ophthalmology, dermatology and clinical drug trials. Furthermore, attaining a Grade 2 specialist clinical pharmacist position in the area of HIV/AIDS from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. During her time as a specialist clinical pharmacist Cherie participated as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering direct pharmaceutical care to patients and providing education to medical, allied health and nursing staff. Other areas of pharmacy practice in which Cherie has been involved include: community pharmacy, industry (clinical research for national and international drug trials), broadcast pharmacy, drug information services, research and academia. Her love for university teaching led her to complete the Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (Higher Education) at The University of Sydney.

Her extensive experience in clinical pharmacy and teaching undergraduate and Masters of pharmacy students led to her PhD research focusing on reflective practices in the areas of pharmacy practice and education. This research has led to curriculum innovations. More specifically, Cherie has pioneered the integration into an undergraduate curriculum, a novel reliable assessment strategy, namely, the RACA (Reflective Ability Clinical Assessment) to enhance students’ reflective thinking ability, counseling and decision-making skills. Also pioneered and integrated a novel collaborative teaching and learning model: RIPE (Reflective Interprofessional Education) model to enhance interprofessional collaboration with the use of high fidelity manikins in simulation labs.

Cherie’s research involves both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with expertise in analyses utilising a variety of statistical methods including: ANCOVA, ANOVA, and multiple regression procedures.

Dr Cherie Lucas currently serves on the Editorial Board: Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning, is an internationally published researcher (31 publications) with more than 19 first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals, co-authored a pharmacy book chapter with international collaborators;  continues collaborative published research with Cardiff Univeristy, UK; University of Toronto, Canada; Long Island University, NY, USA and has presented her research at national and international meetings including Boston, USA (2014), Prato, Italy (2015; 2017), Aberdeen, Scotland (2016), Leuven, Belgium (2018).

Jim Woulfe, University of Technology Sydney, Graduate School of Health (Pharmacy), Sydney

Graduate School of Health (Pharmacy)

John M Lonie, Long Island University, New York

College of Pharmacy

Kylie A Williams, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney

Graduate School of Health (Pharmacy)

Lorraine Smith, The University of Sydney, Sydney

School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health

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Published

06-05-2019

How to Cite

Lucas, C., Woulfe, J., Lonie, J. M., Williams, K. A., & Smith, L. (2019). Pharmacy students’ perceptions of ePortfolios in pharmacy education. Pharmacy Education, 19(1), p 162–170. Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/736

Issue

Vol. 19 (2019)

Section

Research Article

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