Content, delivery, and curricular integration: Bridging the gap between foundational sciences and pharmacy communications

The purpose of this study was to assess impact on knowledge, communication skills, and self-confidence of an oral presentation through integrated learning within a pharmaceutical sciences course and a pharmacy practice course within the first year of a three-year, accelerated pharmacy curriculum. First-year, first-quarter students were assigned to research, prepare, and give an oral presentation of an immunology topic pertaining to an autoimmune disease or an immune deficiency. In addition to assessments of content (immunology) and delivery (communications), students completed a 15-item, four-point Likert scale anonymous post-presentation survey, which provided an opportunity for the students to provide feedback about the assignments. Students were also encouraged to provide subjective feedback. A total of 140 students (88%) completed the survey. Results indicated favorable student response to the assignments. On average, students viewed this activity as a positive experience (total mean = 1.44 (95.71%)). Furthermore, students strongly agreed that the activity helped with public speaking and reinforced basic immune system concepts. Analysis of student responses and comments indicated positive reaction to active learning and self-directed learning. Overall results indicated an improvement in student confidence in ability to communicate specific material learned in a pharmaceutical sciences course. Curricular integration through oral presentations is one approach to increase student knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and improve confidence and student self-awareness of personal communication skills.