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

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Curriculum Development
• Student Assessment

Background:

• Pharmacy schools require a robust framework to equip students with essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors for advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs).
• Ensuring student readiness for APPEs is critical for successful practical training and future professional practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement summative assessments, termed APPE-readiness assessments (ARAs), to evaluate student preparedness prior to APPEs.
• To assess the effectiveness of the pre-APPE curriculum by evaluating student performance on key competencies.

Main Methods:

• Ten ARAs were designed based on eight core competencies encompassing skills, behaviors, and attitudes essential for APPEs.
• These competencies were assessed in a final-semester course, "Case Studies in Pharmacotherapy IV."
• A pre- and post-survey evaluated student confidence in performing each competency, with cohort data analyzed for curriculum improvement.

Main Results:

• The average first-attempt pass rate for the ARAs was 92.4%, with all students achieving readiness after a second attempt.
• Student confidence in performing APPE-readiness competencies increased from 82.2% pre-assessment to 92.6% post-assessment.
• Cohort data analysis provided insights into curriculum effectiveness and identified areas for enhancement.

Conclusions:

• An APPE-readiness assessment plan focusing on skills, attitudes, and behaviors offers valuable insights into student and cohort performance.
• This systematic approach enables continuous quality assurance of the pre-APPE curriculum, ensuring students are well-prepared for practical experiences.