Combined use of online tutorials and hands-on group exercises in bibliographic instruction for pharmacy students.

This study describes the new blended learning methodology implemented in a Drug Literature Evaluation course for pharmacy students that involves combined use of online tutorials and in-class group exercises. Assignment grades earned by 909 students enrolled in the course before and after the new methods were implemented (2008-2010) were studied to measure student performance. Course evaluations were analyzed in order to ascertain students' perceptions.

Student and faculty perspective toward the role and value of integration of natural product information into the pharmacy curriculum.

Background: Consumer use of natural products is a mainstay in our society and continues to grow in prevalence. As pharmacists are viewed as drug experts and are easily accessible to patients, it is important for them to have basic knowledge of natural products.

Methods: Students and faculty members participating in a natural product elective were surveyed upon completion of the course about their perspectives regarding incorporation of covered information into the required curriculum.

Librarian-lead tutorial for enhancement of pharmacy students' information-searching skills in advanced experiential rotations.

Pharmacy schools across the United States expose students to literature searching and evaluation mostly during required didactic drug information courses. The majority of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students do not utilize library-available electronic resources on a regular basis, and their didactic experience alone is not sufficient to make them successful in their advanced experiential drug information (DI) rotations. This pilot study demonstrates an improvement of students' perceptions regarding information searching and evaluating abilities as the result of their participation in a small group tutorial with a reference librarian, thus indicating effectiveness of the tutorial in refreshing and enhancing database knowledge skills.

Survey of pharmacy preceptors' use of hand-held electronic devices.

Objectives: To describe pharmacy preceptors' use of personal digital assistants (PDAs)/hand-held electronic devices and drug information (DI) software for these devices and to determine whether preceptors believed that training students to use DI software for these devices was important.

Methods: We initially pilot tested the survey to 10 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)-Boston pharmacy practice faculty representing different practice areas. The questionnaire was modified based on faculty feedback.

Evaluation of personal digital assistant drug information databases for the managed care pharmacist.

Background: Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are becoming a necessity for practicing pharmacists. They offer a time-saving and convenient way to obtain current drug information. Several software companies now offer general drug information databases for use on hand held computers.