Development of a curriculum integrating biostatistics and study design with core sciences in an organ system block

The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate a curriculum that integrated biostatistics and research design content with core sciences content within a pharmacy course.

An inquiry curriculum was developed in 2019 and included lectures on biostatistics and research design with small group discussions of clinical research papers directly related to the core sciences content. Students' perceptions and pass rates between students who did (2019 cohort) and did not (2018 cohort) undergo the curriculum were compared. Test scores taken approximately one year after completion of each cohort's course were also compared.

Of 127 students in the 2019 cohort, 120 (94%) responded. Over 90% agreed or strongly agreed that inquiry and core sciences contents were integrated well. The 2019 cohort had a significantly higher pass rate than the 2018 cohort on two of three assessment questions evaluated: one multiple choice question (P = .037) and one short answer question (P = .013). After adjustments for baseline characteristics, retention study volunteers from the 2019 cohort had a significantly higher percent test score than those from the 2018 cohort (parameter estimate = 8.48%; P = .026).

An inquiry curriculum consisting of select biostatistics and research design topics can be integrated with a core sciences curriculum in a large integrated pharmacy course. Inclusion of this content increased student academic performance and retention of knowledge and skills.