Enhancing application and long-term retention of clinical knowledge using an extracurricular non-credit course

Curricular overload in doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs is necessitating innovative approaches to support student learning. The purpose of this study was to describe the design, delivery, and assessment of a non-credit extracurricular course that reinforced foundational concepts through the application of learning in case-based activities.

A 14-week extracurricular course, designed using principles of spaced repetition and interleaving in the context of case-based exercises, was offered to third-year PharmD students. Content focused on Top 300 and over-the-counter medications, brown bag sessions/drug utilization review, and medication therapy management. Short-term course effectiveness was assessed through post-course focus groups. Longitudinal effectiveness was assessed nine months post-course using an online survey. Qualitative data were analyzed using a content analysis process with overarching themes identified. Clinical interventions identified in the post-course survey were analyzed descriptively.

Twenty-four students completed the course and all assessments. Focus group themes were: (1) making connections to prior learning; (2) moving beyond memorizing facts; and (3) benefit from a low-stakes course. Students identified 162 course-linked clinical interventions during advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) in 16 different settings.

Student learning can be enhanced through integration of evidence-based teaching strategies both within and across the curriculum. This can be accomplished not only through introduction of an extracurricular course but through modification of existing courses. Providing additional opportunities for reinforcing core clinical knowledge and applying clinical decision-making in a low-stakes environment was well-received by students and helped them make clinical interventions during APPEs.