An elective course on pharmacy-based health screenings.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Public Health Practice
• Community Pharmacy Services

Background:

• Community pharmacies are increasingly offering health screening services.
• There is a need for specialized training for pharmacy students in delivering these services.
• Existing curricula may not adequately cover the practical aspects of health screenings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an elective course for pharmacy students focused on health screening implementation.
• To equip students with the necessary knowledge and practical skills for conducting health screenings in a pharmacy environment.
• To enhance student preparedness and interest in providing screening services.

Main Methods:

• Course lectures covered expert recommendations, regulatory requirements, and procedural aspects of health screenings.
• Hands-on workshops provided experience with various screening devices (e.g., blood glucose, cholesterol).
• Assessment included case assignments, device demonstrations, group projects, and a final quiz.

Main Results:

• Student knowledge and skills were effectively assessed through diverse evaluation methods.
• Annual course evaluations indicated consistently positive student feedback on course design and content.
• Students reported feeling well-prepared and expressed strong interest in future participation in health screening services.

Conclusions:

• The elective course successfully provided pharmacy students with training in health screening delivery.
• The program was well-received by participants, indicating its value in pharmacy education.
• This course offers a unique and valuable patient care opportunity for future pharmacists.