Competency-Based Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiential Courses

Three introductory pharmacy practice experiential (IPPE) courses were developed to improve students' ability to utilize the CAPE competencies. The primary components of each course were 8 community pharmacy visits to conduct counseling on nonprescription medication, health promotion, and disease prevention, and 2 visits to introduce students to hospital pharmacy practice. The primary assessment method was based on the CAPE competencies. Students were required to write statements that described their patient care activities in relation to specified CAPE competencies. The competency statements were graded as "exceeds expectations," "meets expectations," or "below expectations" by comparison with defined levels of performance and, to pass each course, students were required to receive a preset number of grades of "exceeds expectations" or "meets expectations." Students and preceptors agreed that the courses' objectives were met and that the students performed valuable work. Three competency-based IPPE courses that allow students to provide valuable nonprescription medication, health promotion and disease prevention patient care services have been successfully introduced. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]