Impact of Curricular Content Reduction on Student-Reported Mental and Physical Health
Taylor D Steuber1, Daniel J Trujillo1, Erika L Kleppinger1
1Auburn University, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL, USA.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
|February 9, 2025
Summary
Reducing Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum hours improved student well-being. Students reported better mental and physical health with a 3-hour weekly reduction in course content.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Education
- Curriculum Development
- Student Health
Background:
- The demanding nature of Doctor of Pharmacy programs can impact student well-being.
- Curricular load is a significant factor influencing student mental and physical health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of reducing weekly instructional hours in a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum on student health.
- To understand how students utilize the freed-up time.
Main Methods:
- Transitioned a 3-year integrated course sequence from 5 to 4 days per week, reducing total in-class time by 207 hours.
- Administered a voluntary survey to 197 student pharmacists (50.3% response rate) across three academic years.
- Conducted follow-up focus groups with 15 students to further explore survey findings.
Main Results:
- A majority of students preferred the 4-day course schedule and reported improved mental and physical health.
- Students primarily used the extra day for studying or assignments.
- Third-year students utilized the time for work, personal errands, and activities, positively impacting well-being.
Conclusions:
- A reduction of one 3-hour course session per week in the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum led to self-reported improvements in student mental and physical health.
- Curricular adjustments can positively influence student well-being and academic performance.
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