Practice transformation starts in the classroom: Mapping practice change learning in a PharmD program

As the profession of pharmacy continues to evolve, it is important to integrate pharmacy practice change learning into the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum. The objective of this project was to evaluate how pharmacy practice change was being taught within a PharmD curriculum and to identify strategies for improvement.

The College of Pharmacy's PharmD Curricular Leadership Committee (PDCLC) developed a definition for practice change learning and assembled a team of faculty experts to map practice change to the PharmD curriculum. After conducting student focus groups to gather input on practice change learning experiences and importance from the learner perspective, the team engaged faculty in interviews and mapped actual practice change learning experiences with 2016 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) standards and Ohio State University (OSU) College of pharmacy's (COP) ability-based outcomes, highlighting gaps and opportunities.

Primary opportunities for improvement in practice change learning were identified and included: integration of value-based outcomes that influence healthcare reimbursement and quality, communication simulations around community health and the value of the pharmacist with organizations outside traditional healthcare settings and with payors, and exposure to careers beyond traditional pharmacy settings.

A faculty member has been appointed to lead integration of this content and optimization of practice change knowledge and skill building across courses and years in the program. Future directions involve curricular integration and obtaining alumni feedback to refine effectiveness of the curriculum.