Promoting long-lasting changes in student well-being through a pharmacy general education course: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Health Behavior Research
• Pharmacy Education

Background:

• Universities require effective strategies to promote student well-being through positive medication-use behaviors.
• Fink's Taxonomy of Significant Learning (FTSL) is an evidence-based instructional strategy with potential for creating lasting behavioral changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of FTSL in fostering long-lasting changes in student well-being within a pharmacy general education course.
• To assess the impact of FTSL on medication-use behaviors and overall healthcare practices among undergraduate students.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods survey design was employed with 84 undergraduate students.
• Data were collected at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
• Assessed changes in safe medication practices, general healthcare behaviors, healthcare self-efficacy, safe medication storage, and safe medication disposal.

Main Results:

• Significant positive changes were observed in several well-being and behavior variables over time.
• Statistical analyses included repeated-measures ANCOVAs and McNemar chi-square tests.
• Qualitative thematic analysis supported the quantitative findings.

Conclusions:

• Intentional integration of FTSL in course design can cultivate enduring general healthcare and safe medication-use behavior intentions.
• The study highlights the effectiveness of FTSL in promoting holistic student well-being.
• Findings support the use of FTSL as a valuable pedagogical tool in higher education.