New Pharmacy Practice Electives to Improve Student Clinical Application and Professional Identity Formation
Date
2025
Authors
Fujimoto, Cierra
Prudencio, Jarred
Fukunaga, Bryce
Meguro, Aryn
Gomez, Lara
Tokumaru, Sheri
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Abstract
Context:
The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) implemented a new contemporary curriculum in Fall 2023. This innovative curriculum introduces the threading of topics throughout students’ studies, allowing them to build on their knowledge and apply what they learn in clinical practice. In response to the evolving field of pharmacy practice, DKICP has transitioned from a legacy curriculum that required only four elective credits to a contemporary curriculum that now requires eight elective credits.
Objectives:
This innovative design allows students to explore new electives that align with the evolving healthcare landscape, providing a broader range of choices that are essential for their professional identity and development. By offering expanded options, it aims to increase satisfaction with elective offerings and foster a more personalized educational experience.
Description of Innovation:
The new curriculum introduces a range of electives that cater to various aspects of pharmacy practice and students’ personal and professional development. Students can select from clinically-focused courses, such as Infectious Disease Cases and Cardiology Cases, which reinforce important pharmacotherapy concepts and simulate real-world scenarios. Students can also explore non-pharmacological options through Lifestyle Changes for Chronic Diseases, focusing on dietary and physical activity modifications that pharmacists can recommend to patients managing chronic conditions. Additionally, electives such as Social Media for Pharmacists examine the role of digital communication in healthcare, while Story-Telling in Healing highlights narrative communication to understand the patient experience and the journey to becoming a healthcare provider through storytelling. Courses such as Prescription to Wellness and Resilience and Intro to Post-Graduate Residency Applications not only enhance student well-being, but also provide important preparation for future career opportunities. This diverse selection of electives highlights the wide range of opportunities DKICP has to offer. While a broad range of electives offers valuable opportunities, it may lead to low enrollment in some courses and decision fatigue for students. To address this, not all electives are offered every semester, which helps prevent low enrollment and reduces the overwhelming number of options for students. By selecting electives based on student interest and relevance, and offering course categories, such as clinical, digital communication, or wellness courses, it can help students navigate their choices and select courses that align with their personal interests.
Evaluation of Innovation
Each proposed elective is evaluated by the curriculum committee. After the course is completed, student evaluations are viewed closely and course coordinators respond to student feedback. We will be reviewing de-identified student evaluations that are completed at the end of each semester and provide examples of the comments reported about the newly added elective courses. This feedback will offer valuable insights into student experiences, satisfaction, and their relevance to the overall curriculum. By reviewing this feedback, course coordinators will be able to make feedback-driven decisions to improve the elective options and ensure they continue to meet students’ personal interests and professional development goals.
Discussion/Key Message
These curriculum changes significantly enhance the student learning experience by tailoring education to individual interests and reinforcing prior clinical knowledge through an integrated approach. Students are likely to experience greater satisfaction, improved performance outcomes, and ultimately, enhanced patient care. These changes reinforce clinical topics, enhancing students’ ability to provide patient-centered care and adapt to evolving pharmacy trends. By offering a more personalized curriculum, students are better prepared for clinical rotations and specialized roles, while also supporting their professional identities through electives that align with their personal interests.
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