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Service learning: implementation and evaluation in a pharmacy curriculum.

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Abstract

Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy (MUSSP) incorporated a structured service learning program into its curriculum. Goals and requirements for the service learning experience were established and approved by the school of pharmacy. Various community organizations were identified as partners and developed into service learning sites. While in pharmacy school the students are prepared to become knowledgeable pharmacists to provide quality health care. This service learning program was implemented to help students become personally involved in providing health care to patients and to do so with a caring professional attitude.

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The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program requires six years of study following high school: a minimum of two years of pre-pharmacy education at an accredited college and four years of professional education at the pharmacy school. In the first year (P1) of the professional curriculum, students take foundational courses in the basic and administrative sciences. In the second and third professional years (P2 and P3) the curricula consist of disease state management courses. Throughout each semester of the first three professional years, the students are enrolled in courses called Patient Care Experiences. These experiences should enhance the transition from didactic instruction to the application phase of pharmacy to prepare the students as providers of pharmaceutical care. In the fourth professional year (P4), students complete advanced practice experiences where they are in community and institutional pharmacy settings and apply the knowledge gained in years P1-P3. Pharm.D. graduates have the advanced knowledge, clinical experience, and communication skills necessary to exercise sound professional judgment regarding the proper use of drugs in the community and institutional settings.

Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy (MUSSP) incorporated service learning into its Patient Care Experiences (PCEs) in Fall 2001. Service Learning is defined as the process of involving the student in community activities and providing an academic facilitated environment in which to reflect upon the experience and grow as a person and as a professional. The goals of MUSSP's service learning are to promote professional development of pharmacy students by providing real opportunities in which personal skills (awareness, self esteem, empathy) and basic pharmaceutical care skills (communication, caring, education) can be applied. (1, 2) Service Learning was offered initially to first and second professional year pharmacy students. The program was expanded to incorporate the third professional year students in the fall of 2002.

MUSSP's service learning program was implemented to help students become personally involved in providing health care to patients and to do...

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