Experiential education at a university-based wellness center

To enhance students' learning and confidence in their abilities to provide wellness screenings and disease counseling.

An experiential rotation was implemented in January 2004 within the Center for Pharmacy Care, a pharmacist-coordinated, University-based wellness center that offers preventive health screenings, risk assessments, patient education, medication and lifestyle counseling, educational seminars, and referral for common health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis.

A brief survey instrument consisting of both open-ended questions and ratings of perceived abilities and confidence to provide screening and counseling was administered to students prior to and upon completion of the experience. Results of the survey indicate that the experience significantly enhanced students' preparedness and confidence to conduct community-based wellness screenings.

Students gained confidence in implementing and conducting wellness programs and became motivated to incorporate such programs into their future practice. This experience can serve as a teaching model for other programs to achieve student competencies in health promotion and disease prevention.