Evaluation and description of a healthcare academia elective for student pharmacists

Pharmacists, regardless of practice setting, will be called to provide education to patients, healthcare professionals, students, and the community. In an effort to increase students' exposure to the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities of a pharmacist in academia, an introductory healthcare academia elective was created. The purpose of this article is to describe the implementation and assessment of this elective course.

The course was offered to students in spring 2021 and focused on exposing students to academia aspects, including curriculum design, pillars of academia, and roles of assessment and feedback. The largest project was a student created and delivered Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education-accredited continuing education presentation.

The twelve students completed pre- and post-surveys regarding their perceived knowledge and personal abilities in select areas. Overall, students' perceived knowledge and abilities increased in each area at the end of the course. Additionally, a total of four continuing education presentations were delivered to students, faculty, and practicing pharmacists.

One semester of a unique healthcare academia elective increased students' perceived confidence in their knowledge and application of academia-related tasks.