Student and faculty perceptions of integrated therapeutics courses in a doctor of pharmacy program

There has been a movement in clinical education towards integrating foundational and applied course content. It remains unclear what best practices are for integration or how meaningful integration is for improving learning. We assessed the impact and perceptions of different degrees of integration in Integrated Pharmacy Care and Patient Management (IPC) courses.

Students and faculty of one four-year doctor of pharmacy program were asked to complete surveys upon conclusion of the last of twelve integrated courses. Three degrees of integration (first degree, second degree, complete Integration) were defined for respondents. The student questionnaire included items on perceived value of integrated education as well as used and preferred levels of integration throughout the course series. Perceived estimated integration levels were then correlated with mean grade point averages (GPAs) for the courses. The faculty survey assessed experience with, and perceptions of, integrated teaching.

Sixty-five students (100% response) and 10 faculty (50% response) completed the surveys. Students preferred complete integration for all IPC courses and indicated that they were better able to retain and understand information with higher levels of integration. Supporting this, mean course GPAs positively correlated with estimated levels of integration. Faculty remained neutral on whether integration helps students to better understand course material and highlighted barriers to implementing higher levels of integration, including lack of time.

Our results suggest that a team approach to complete integration is most beneficial for pharmacy students. Faculty may require additional institutional support to accomplish such integration.