Pharmacy students' opinions on civility and preferences regarding professors

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Medical Education
• Student Behavior

Background:

• Understanding student perceptions of classroom incivility is crucial for effective pharmacy education.
• Identifying preferred learning environments and professor interactions can enhance student engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify behaviors pharmacy students deem uncivil.
• To assess student participation in uncivil behaviors.
• To understand student preferences for professors and classroom settings, and track changes over time.

Main Methods:

• A survey instrument was utilized to gather data on student perceptions of incivility and classroom preferences.
• Demographic data were collected to characterize student populations and enable longitudinal analysis.

Main Results:

• Younger students identified cheating as most uncivil; older students found cell phone use most objectionable.
• Chewing gum was considered the least offensive behavior across all student groups.
• Students value professors who care about their learning but are hesitant to contact them directly outside of class.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences in perceptions of civility exist among first, third, and fourth-year pharmacy students.
• Student beliefs, actions, and preferences regarding classroom behavior evolve throughout the pharmacy curriculum.