Pathways to Improve Student Pharmacists' Experience in Research

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Research
• Student Research Programs

Background:

• Implementing longitudinal research programs is crucial for developing scientific inquiry skills in students.
• The Pathway program was designed to offer sustained research experience over four years.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the implementation of the Pathway student research program.
• To report on the outcomes of the program's initial four years.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year longitudinal student research program involving faculty advising and peer mentoring.
• Prospective assessment comparing students who completed the program with a control group.
• Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t tests, and ANOVA.

Main Results:

• The first cohort (Class of 2013) completed the program.
• 59% of responding students in the Pathway program achieved their self-set research goals.
• Pathway students reported enhanced independent work, literature evaluation, and self-distinction.

Conclusions:

• The Pathway program effectively facilitated student understanding of the research process.
• The program supported students in achieving their personal and academic research objectives.