Medical versus science students: Knowledge, perceptions and learning of core pharmacology concepts

Pharmacology is a core discipline underpinning both medical and biomedical science education, essential for understanding drug action, safety and therapeutic efficacy. This study compared pharmacology knowledge, perceptions and learning experiences between second-year medical and science students to evaluate how effectively each curriculum supports acquisition of internationally defined core pharmacology concepts.

A mixed-methods design was employed, involving pre- and post-module surveys and curriculum mapping against the global pharmacology core concept framework. Quantitative data were analysed using chi-squared tests, while qualitative responses were evaluated thematically. Participants included students enrolled in MD214 Introduction to Pharmacology (medical) and PM208 Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology (science) at the University of Galway.

Medical students demonstrated stronger baseline and post-module understanding of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles, particularly in applied pharmacokinetics such as drug-drug interactions and variability in drug response. Science students showed significant improvement over time, reflecting effective conceptual learning. Both cohorts reported positive perceptions of module relevance and teaching effectiveness (mean scores 7.7-8.9/10) and moderate to high confidence in mastering core concepts. YouTube and textbooks were the most common supplementary resources. Curriculum mapping showed alignment with 23 of 24 core concepts in the medical module and 20 in the science module.

Medical students exhibited greater initial competence and perceived relevance, whereas science students benefited substantially from targeted instruction. Findings highlight the value of concept-based, contextually integrated pharmacology teaching and support continued curriculum development guided by international core concept frameworks.