Integrated-Based Curriculum of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms (ICPDF): What Factors Affect the Learning Outcome...

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Education
• Curriculum Development
• Educational Assessment

Background:

• The quality of faculty and institutional resources are crucial for effective pharmaceutical education.
• Integrated curricula aim to enhance student learning by connecting different subject areas.
• Evaluating student perceptions provides valuable insights into curriculum effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess pharmacy students' perceptions of the relationship between faculty quality, institutional resources, and an integrated curriculum for pharmaceutical dosage forms (ICPDF).
• To determine the impact of ICPDF on learning outcome attainment.
• To explore the direct and indirect correlations between faculty quality, institutional resources, ICPDF, and learning outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A survey instrument using a 7-point Likert scale was administered to 212 pharmacy undergraduate students at Universitas Padjadjaran.
• Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate measurement and structural models.
• Correlations between faculty quality, institutional resources, ICPDF, and learning outcome attainment were assessed.

Main Results:

• Faculty quality and institutional resources were significant predictors of the ICPDF.
• The ICPDF significantly influenced learning outcome attainment.
• Direct correlations between faculty quality, institutional resources, and learning outcome attainment were not significant.
• Significant differences in learning outcome attainment and ICPDF were observed across different university years, but not by gender.

Conclusions:

• The study validates the use of PLS-SEM for modeling relationships in pharmaceutical education research.
• Effective faculty and resources are essential for successful implementation of integrated pharmaceutical dosage forms curricula.
• The integrated curriculum plays a pivotal role in enhancing pharmacy students' learning outcomes.