Comparison of hybrid to on-campus pathway outcomes in a first-year experiential education course

Online and hybrid educational models are continuing to emerge. There are currently eleven schools of pharmacy who offer a hybrid pathway for students to earn their PharmD. Our School started a hybrid pathway in Fall 2024, in addition to continuing to offer the on-campus pathway. The purpose of this study was to compare students' knowledge and level of confidence as it relates to experiential education when comparing the hybrid pathway to the on-campus pathway.

Students in both pathways completed the course requirements for their respective experiential courses. The overall objectives were the same, but the course structure and delivery differed between pathways. Three surveys were administered, one during orientation, one between semesters and one at the end of the year. Data were analyzed to determine if differences existed between pathways in a student's level of understanding and confidence. The primary endpoint was student's level of self-assessed confidence. The secondary endpoints were grade differences and professionalism concerns.

At the midpoint, twenty-three of the twenty-four Likert scale questions showed no meaningful difference between pathways (p > 0.05). The only question to show a difference was students' level of confidence when it came to the required dress code on rotations (p = 0.008, r = 0.3). Students in the hybrid pathway scored themselves higher. At the final survey no questions showed a difference.

Students' level of confidence did not differ between pathways regardless of delivery method and pathway. Our current structure for delivering experiential orientation for each pathway is effective based upon students' self-assessed level of confidence.