A hands-on approach: Developing a longitudinal physical assessment curriculum for pharmacy students

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Clinical Skills Training
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Traditional pharmacy curricula often lack comprehensive physical assessment training.
• Accelerated programs present unique challenges for integrating extensive clinical skills.
• Pharmacists require robust physical assessment skills for effective patient care.

Observation:

• A longitudinal curriculum for physical assessment was developed and implemented for pharmacy students.
• The curriculum was integrated with concurrent pharmacotherapeutic modules.
• Workshops covered basic to advanced physical assessment skills across various body systems and conditions.

Findings:

• Students successfully completed physical assessment workshops covering vital signs, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, and other systems.
• Competency was assessed through formative and summative evaluations at set intervals.
• The curriculum was successfully implemented within an accelerated pharmacy school structure.

Implications:

• This integrated curriculum enhances the practical skill set of pharmacy students.
• The model provides a framework for developing similar longitudinal programs in pharmacy education.
• Improved physical assessment skills can lead to better patient care and pharmacist-led interventions.