RESEARCH ARTICLE: Development, implementation and evaluation of an innovative, project-based assignment for final year pharmacy students, relating to novel drug delivery systems
Keywords:
Australia, Novel drug delivery education, Pharmacy StudentsAbstract
Introduction: Students must efficiently integrate knowledge gained during their training. Application of this knowledge is important when students need to assess novel drug delivery systems (NDDSs). The objective of this study was to explore the impact of a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach within a fourth-year pharmacy degree as a way of improving the ability of students to become independent researchers and critical thinkers using NDDSs as the subject topic.
Methods: Students chose a NDDS and researched intellectual property, drug pharmacology, design, clinical features, marketing, regulatory and commercial issues. Results were presented in a written report and seminar. Data from student performance in the written and oral components of the assignment and the written questionnaire were collected and analysed.
Results: Students performed well in both the written and oral assessment items, locating relevant information, synthesising a synopsis and presenting the information clearly. Evaluation of individual student responses indicated strong student satisfaction with the new approach across multiple measures. The assignment met its objectives and achieved its learning goals.
Conclusion: The development and implementation of a project-based assignment for final year pharmacy students proved to be highly successful, and a similar approach could be easily implemented by other pharmacy schools.
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