Developing a comprehensive APPE-readiness plan with a focus on skills, attitudes, and behaviors

Pharmacy schools must have a framework to ensure students have the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to be successful during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs).

Ten summative assessments, called APPE-readiness assessments (ARAs), were developed based on eight competencies encompassing skills, behaviors, and attitudes that must be demonstrated prior to APPEs. All eight competencies were assessed in the course Case Studies in Pharmacotherapy IV, which is offered in the final semester of the didactic curriculum immediately prior to APPEs. A 15-question pre- and post-survey was conducted to assess student confidence in performing each APPE-readiness competency. Cohort data was evaluated by the curriculum and assessment committee to assess curriculum effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Upon completion of the course, the average first-attempt pass rate across all ARAs was 92.4%. All students who failed on the first attempt passed on the second attempt, thereby demonstrating APPE-readiness. Out of 62 students, 45 and 44 completed the pre- and post-survey, respectively. Prior to the ARAs, the overall average of students who felt (strongly) confident about their ability to perform each competency was 82.2 ± 2.1%. This increased to 92.6 ± 1.6% after the ARAs.

The development of an APPE-readiness assessment plan focusing on skills, attitudes, and behaviors provides insight into student and cohort performance and allows for continuous quality assurance of the pre-APPE curriculum.