American journal of pharmaceutical education
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Graduate education in the pharmaceutical sciences is a cornerstone of research within pharmacy schools. Pharmaceutical scientists are critical contributors to addressing the challenges of new drug discovery, delivery, and optimal care in order to ensure improved therapeutic outcomes in populations of patients. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) charged the 2016-2017 Research and Graduate Affairs Committee (RGAC) to define the competencies necessary for graduate education in the pharmaceutical sciences (Charge 1), recommend collaborative curricular development across schools of pharmacy (Charge 2), recommend AACP programing for graduate education (Charge 3), and provide guidance on emerging areas for innovation in graduate education (Charge 4). ⋯ D., Ph. D., postdoctoral associates, resident, and fellow experiences. Two proposed policy statements by the committee are that AACP believes core competencies are essential components of graduate education and AACP supports the inclusion of research and graduate education focuses in its portfolio of meetings and programs.
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The 2016-2017 AACP Student Affairs Standing Committee addressed charges related to recruitment to the profession of pharmacy and a national awareness campaign for pharmacy careers, as well as promotion of student wellness and stress management. The Committee report provides six recommendations to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) and one proposed policy statement for the AACP House of Delegates related to recruitment to the pharmacy profession. The Committee report also provides three recommendations to AACP and one proposed policy statement for the AACP House of Delegates related to student wellness and stress management. In addition, this report provides recommendations for future AACP Student Affairs Standing Committee work.
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Formative assessment is critical for deliberate improvement, development and growth. While not entirely synonymous, assessment for learning (AFL) is an approach using formative assessment to specifically improve students' learning. ⋯ For example, using a developmental portfolio with iterative reflective-writings (formative), PharmD students showed qualitative development in the "professionalism" competency (summative; ACPE Standard 4.4). (In parallel, this development in professionalism was confirmed quantitatively.) An AFL approach can complement other assessments; it can be integrated with other summative assessments into a multi-method assessment program, wherein developmental portfolio sections could be used for a few specific competencies. While AFL is not a one-size-fits-all silver bullet approach for programmatic assessment, it is one notable robust tool to employ.