Considering Retention and Curricula in Reframing Pharmacy Enrollment Challenges

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• Pharmacy program enrollment is declining, with many institutions not meeting goals or reducing class sizes.
• This trend prompts critical discussions within the academic community regarding recruitment and long-term sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility of short-term recruitment strategies to address declining pharmacy enrollment.
• To identify how pharmacy schools can navigate transformative forces impacting higher education.
• To challenge existing curricular and pedagogical models in pharmacy education.

Main Methods:

• This commentary analyzes the challenges facing pharmacy education enrollment.
• It considers external forces like demographic shifts, economic transitions, and technological advancements.
• It examines student retention and success as key factors.

Main Results:

• Recruitment alone may not be sufficient to overcome current enrollment challenges in the short to medium term.
• Pharmacy education must proactively address significant, transformative forces impacting higher education.
• Reframing educational models and pedagogical approaches is essential.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy enrollment challenges are persistent and unlikely to be resolved quickly.
• The academic community must prioritize student success and redesign educational models.
• Adapting to a knowledge-based economy and technological advancements is crucial for future pharmacy programs.