Geriatric Concentration: A New Elective Sequence in an Entry-Level Doctor of Pharmacy Program

Abstract

Objectives. The geriatrics concentration elective sequence in the entry-level doctor of pharmacy program at the Mylan School of Pharmacy at Duquesne University was devised, first, to introduce students to the complex pharmaceutical care needs of the elderly; second, to expose students to career options and enhance employability through credentialing in geriatrics; and third, to increase the confidence and motivation for graduates to pursue advanced geriatrics education, training, and specialist certification. Design. The curriculum consists of a didactic elective sequence of 3 courses (8 total credits) offered in the evenings of the fifth and sixth academic years. Sixth year students must complete at least one specialized experiential rotation and pass a final comprehensive geriatrics certification examination. Assessment. Preliminary data from university teaching and clinical teaching effectiveness questionnaires in didactic and experiential courses, respectively, are presented. Available data are limited by voluntary student participation in instructor evaluation and by the short amount of time since program inception. Methods tentatively planned for assessing program outcomes are included. Conclusion. The geriatrics concentration has been positively received in the first 2 years since its inception, as suggested by sustained enrollment figures and preliminary teaching effectiveness evaluation data.

Impact of a Pharmacy Education Concentration on Students' Teaching Knowledge and Attitudes

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Attempts to enhance students' skills and depth of knowledge by offering focused concentrations also have been described in the literature. [7][8][9][10] The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Pharmacy has developed an education concentration for PharmD students to address faculty recruitment and retention. The concentration requires that more than 50% of a student's didactic electives, ie, 6 or more of the 11 didactic elective credits and 1 advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) focus on a specialized track.…”

An Active-Learning Course Model to Teach Pharmacotherapy in Geriatrics

“…11,12 The Mylan School of Pharmacy reported on their successful elective sequence with a geriatric concentration as a way to introduce students to the pharmaceutical care needs of older adults, provide exposure to career options, and encourage students to pursue advanced training and education in geriatrics. 13 These examples are in line with ACPE's required inclusion of special populations within the pharmacy curriculum, further emphasizing the need to provide education in the area of geriatrics. 2 The most rewarding part of teaching this course is harnessing the enthusiasm that exists between the generations into a valuable learning experience for everyone involved.…”

Geriatric Pharmacy Education: A Strategic Plan for the Future

“…[44][45][46][47][48][49] Figures 1, 2, and 3 provide examples of established core competencies in geriatrics outlined in the ASCP Foundation Geriatric Pharmacy Curriculum Guide with reference to suggested teaching formats for addressing these educational areas in the curriculum. It is evident from the table that many core competencies can be taught in a wide range of curricular locations using a variety of instructional formats.…”

“…61 Keys et al implemented a methodology in a geriatrics elective concentration sequence that provided lecturespecific, instructor-generated discussion questions to students at the start of each course segment. 44 Students submitted answers to specific questions prior to the relevant lecture. If faculties at colleges and schools of pharmacy decide to integrate geriatrics content throughout the curriculum, it would be conceivable for a group of faculty members to develop a series of questions that would be relevant to various courses and would assess geriatrics knowledge throughout the curriculum.…”