Ambulatory care elective: Introduction to core practice concepts.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Ambulatory Care Pharmacy
• Active Learning Strategies

Background:

• Elective courses are crucial for introducing pharmacy students to diverse practice environments.
• Ambulatory care pharmacy offers specialized practice opportunities requiring strategic planning and chronic disease management skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an ambulatory care elective course utilizing active learning strategies.
• To enhance students' chronic disease management, empathy, and strategic planning abilities.
• To assess student satisfaction and the value of simulation in pharmacy education.

Main Methods:

• A two-credit hour, 30-hour ambulatory care elective course was implemented for third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students.
• The course spanned two weeks and was delivered across three campuses, incorporating lectures, active learning, shadowing, role-playing, and a simulation.
• Six distinct modules covered various aspects of ambulatory care practice.

Main Results:

• Student evaluations and reflections indicated a high level of satisfaction with the course.
• The chronic disease state simulation was particularly valued by students for its unique approach to fostering personal attributes.
• Active learning sessions facilitated the application of lecture material to ambulatory care practice.

Conclusions:

• The ambulatory care elective successfully utilized active learning and simulation to enhance student learning and engagement.
• The course provided valuable insights into the scope of practice and skills required for ambulatory pharmacy.
• Pharmacy students highly valued the simulation component for developing essential professional skills and attributes.