Implementation of standard setting for high-stakes objective structured clinical examinations.

Background And Purpose: To describe one institution's approach to transformation of high-stakes objective structure clinical examinations (OSCEs) from norm-referenced to criterion-referenced standards setting and to evaluate the impact of these changes on OSCE performance and pass rates.

Educational Activity And Setting: The OSCE writing team at the college selected a modified Angoff method appropriate for high-stakes assessments to replace the two standard deviation method previously used. Each member of the OSCE writing team independently reviewed the analytical checklist and calculated a passing score for active stations on OSCEs.

Skills laboratory faculty job satisfaction: Effects of high-contact teaching and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to describe the workload responsibilities and job satisfaction of skills laboratory faculty, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: School of pharmacy (SOP) skills laboratory faculty were surveyed in fall 2021 to gather information on workload responsibilities and job satisfaction, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data were reported using descriptive statistics and, when appropriate, student t-tests were used to compare responses from before and during COVID-19.

Community Champions: The Crucial Contribution of an Independent Pharmacy in COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts in an Underserved Community.

Historically, pharmacists in independent community pharmacies have been pivotal in promoting community health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they demonstrated their commitment by advocating for vaccination and providing accessible care, particularly in underserved communities. By addressing disparities, implementing strategies like mobile clinics and community outreach, and fostering trust and engagement, independent community pharmacists played a crucial role in bridging gaps in healthcare access for vulnerable populations and mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A lot in a little: Assessment of skills laboratory course structures and faculty workloads.

Introduction: Pharmacy skills development is essential to pharmacy programs to ensure "practice-ready" graduates. The objective was to describe the landscape of skills laboratory (lab) courses and faculty workload across United States schools and colleges of pharmacy (S/COP).

Methods: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Laboratory Instructors Special Interest Group disseminated an anonymous questionnaire to collect faculty demographics, skills lab format, faculty workload, and job satisfaction.

Measuring the immediate impact when first year pharmacy students are introduced to diverse career pathways.

Background And Purpose: To assess if exposure to diverse pharmacy career pathways influences the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student's career plans within the first month of an academic curriculum.

Educational Activity And Setting: First year PharmD students were enrolled in a four-week course with a focus on introduction to core practice areas of pharmacy: community, hospital, and managed care. Guidance was provided with resources and a pharmacist panel to aid in both self-learning and direct sharing about diverse areas of pharmacy practice extending beyond the core course practice areas.

Girls scouting out pharmacy: A story about youth empowerment.

Introduction: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy's vision statement is part of a national strategic endeavor to elevate pharmacy's professional profile. Community populations lack awareness of the unique roles and responsibilities of pharmacists. To positively influence the pipeline of future pharmacists, it is necessary to promote pharmacy as a career path.

Bridging the gap between pharmacy student and professional with a student developed pocket reference.

Introduction: The challenging transition from learner to practicing pharmacist is frequently cited in the literature. This difficulty is due in part to a prodigious shift from utilizing class notes to assessing national guidelines. Students who create and use a pocket reference that combines their lecture material with current guidelines may become more proficient at navigating guidelines and adhering to treatment algorithms when on rotations, in residency, and as a professional.

Professionalism development through the curriculum: Developing a new system for identifying and tracking professional behavior lapses.

Introduction: Pharmacy education has evolved from focusing on knowledge alone to highlighting personal and professional growth. Providing a standardized process for tracking, mentoring, and guiding students in professionalism and other soft skills may help achieve compliance with the current Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education Educational Outcomes and Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards 2016.

Commentary: Becoming a pharmacist requires more than demonstrating proficiency in tasks and responsibilities associated with pharmacy practice.

The Pharmacists' Role in Disease Outbreaks: Navigating the Dynamics of Uncertainty Before, During, and After Disease Outbreaks.

Vaccination rates are on the decline as parents avoid doctor's visits with their children. In addition, the antivaccination movement has led to a significant portion of the population remaining unvaccinated or undervaccinated. Outbreaks in the United States within the past year have highlighted the need for better education and communication regarding the efficacy and safety of vaccinations as well as important steps to reduce disease transmission.

Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone precipitate formation in the ear canal of a paediatric patient.

This case report describes a paediatric patient diagnosed with otitis externa and treated with topical ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone. The patient completed the course of therapy and then developed precipitate formation from the pharmacological treatment. Laboratory testing of the precipitate confirmed the presence of a large quantity of ciprofloxacin.

A Task Force on Recruitment, Admissions, and Retention to Improve Pharmacy College Admissions Outcomes.

To create a task force on recruitment, admission, and retention, and assess pharmacy students' opinions and perceived value of the initiatives implemented. A task force on recruitment, admission, and retention was created at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy to build relationships between the college and incoming students and improve the admissions process. Admission and retention initiatives were implemented over a three-year period.