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Explaining and forecasting attrition in the Army pharmacy technician course
Larry Fulton1, L William Starnes, Marc Caouette
1Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
Military Medicine
|January 20, 2009
Summary
Army pharmacy technician (68Q) course graduation rates were analyzed. Demographic factors and technical test scores influenced success, offering insights for student support and admissions to improve training outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education and Training
- Military Health Sciences
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- The Army pharmacy technician (68Q) course trains approximately 260 students annually.
- A significant 28.7% of students do not graduate, incurring substantial opportunity and real costs.
- Understanding factors influencing graduation is crucial for optimizing training efficiency and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate, explain, and forecast student failures in the Army pharmacy technician (68Q) course.
- To identify key predictors of graduation rates.
- To provide data-driven recommendations for improving student success and course efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Employed multiple analytical methods to assess factors related to graduation.
- Examined demographic characteristics (e.g., rank, enrollment status) and their correlation with success.
- Analyzed Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) skilled technical test scores as predictors.
Main Results:
- Uncontrollable demographic characteristics, including rank and enrollment status, were significantly related to graduation rates.
- Controllable factors, specifically Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery skilled technical test scores, also showed a relationship with graduation.
- These findings highlight a combination of inherent and trainable factors influencing student outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies key variables associated with student attrition in the 68Q program.
- Results can inform targeted interventions for at-risk students.
- Findings may assist in refining admission criteria to enhance the likelihood of successful course completion.
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