Fulfilling the Tripartite Mission During a Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Academic Medicine
• Higher Education Administration

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to academic institutions.
• Pharmacy faculty were tasked with balancing teaching, research, and service obligations amidst widespread disruption.
• Remote work and altered operational structures impacted traditional academic workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the challenges faced by pharmacy faculty in fulfilling their tripartite mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To outline considerations for communication, collaboration, and culture moving forward in pharmacy education.
• To identify opportunities for innovation in teaching, research, and service.

Main Methods:

• This commentary synthesizes experiences and observations from pharmacy faculty and leadership.
• It involves a review of adaptations made in instructional delivery, scholarship, and service.
• Considerations for future academic culture and operations are discussed.

Main Results:

• The pandemic spurred innovation in didactic and experiential teaching methods and assessment strategies.
• Remote work altered traditional approaches to pharmacy scholarship and service.
• Accelerated collaborations fostered new inter- and intra-university relationships, emphasizing grantsmanship and writing.
• Faculty governance and leadership adopted collaborative, transparent approaches to address pandemic-related challenges.
• Pharmacy programs leveraged pandemic-induced changes to advance institutional missions.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities for pharmacy educators to innovate and adapt.
• New collaborations and focused efforts on scholarship have emerged.
• The pandemic experience can lead to enduring positive changes in academic culture and professional interactions.
• Strategic adjustments can advance the mission of pharmacy academia and foster a more connected community.