Pharmacy Is an Applied Discipline: The Baumkuchen Layer Model of Curriculum Design

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Health Sciences
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Pharmacy education struggles to keep pace with rapid advancements in healthcare information and technology.
• The "teach everything" pressure leads to curriculum overload, diluting essential pharmacist knowledge.
• A clear definition of core pharmacist knowledge is needed to guide educational reform.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a comprehensive definition of pharmacist knowledge as a framework for reorganizing pharmacy education.
• To propose the Baumkuchen Layer Model for integrating academic disciplines and hierarchical knowledge structures.
• To enhance the preparation of pharmacy students for modern healthcare complexities and public health roles.

Main Methods:

• This commentary proposes a conceptual framework, the Baumkuchen Layer Model.
• The model aligns with knowledge domains outlined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
• It integrates academic discipline classification with a hierarchical knowledge structure.

Main Results:

• The Baumkuchen Layer Model provides a structured approach to define and organize essential pharmacist knowledge.
• This hierarchical model ensures a solid foundational understanding for students.
• It facilitates the integration of complex concepts relevant to contemporary healthcare.

Conclusions:

• Reorganizing pharmacy education around a defined knowledge framework is crucial for addressing current challenges.
• The Baumkuchen Layer Model offers a practical metaphor for structuring curriculum and knowledge.
• Implementing this model will better prepare pharmacists to navigate healthcare complexities and contribute to patient care and public health.