How did we get here? Evolution of specifications grading in a required skills-based course series.

Background And Purpose: Specifications grading is a mastery-based grading approach to unlock student potential and empower students to focus on learning goals while receiving and acting on meaningful feedback. Within specifications grading, bundles are created to group assignments and assessments. Based on student achievement within each bundle, overall course grade is determined.

Managing the "Three Cs" of Academic Literature Authorship: Contributions, Credit, and Conflict.

Dissemination of information through publications is central to academic research, as well as professional advancement. Although seemingly a straightforward endeavor, publication authorship may present challenges. Although the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors defines authorship based on 4 required criteria, contemporary interdisciplinary collaborations can complicate authorship determinations.

Successes and challenges in implementing specifications grading in skills-based laboratory courses: Experiences at two colleges of pharmacy.

Background And Purpose: Specifications grading, a grading schema focused on mastery of skills, may provide an alternative to traditional grading. Specifications grading uses three components (pass/fail grading, bundles, and tokens) to allow students to demonstrate competency in specific areas as part of competency-based education. The purpose of this article is to outline specifications grading and review its implementation at two colleges of pharmacy.

Use of Digital vs Printed Posters for Teaching and Learning in Pharmacy Education.

To characterize student pharmacists' perceptions of the use of posters as a learning tool and their preferences regarding digital posters compared to printed posters for presentation and review. Student pharmacists presented and peer-reviewed posters in a digital format using a tablet and an overhead monitor or in a printed format mounted on a poster board. The perceptions of two cohorts of pharmacy students were characterized by comparing their responses on pre- and post-activity surveys.

Impact of a Film on Student Pharmacists' Views on Quality of Life and Aging.

To assess the effectiveness of film in providing health and quality-of-life experiences of aging to student pharmacists. Third professional year student pharmacists enrolled in an elective course in geriatric pharmacy were shown a made-for-television movie, , which portrays elderly people experiencing health and quality-of-life issues. The student pharmacists were surveyed before and after viewing.

Urological disorders in men: urinary incontinence and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Urinary incontinence (UI) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are 2 common urogenital problems in men. UI is associated with involuntary leakage of urine and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of urgency, frequency, and nocturia. Types of UI include functional, urge, stress, and overflow.

Outcomes of a multidisciplinary partnership to improve cardiac wellness: an opportunity for pharmacists.

Objective: To describe the results of an initiative to create awareness of coronary heart disease and provide education regarding cardiovascular (CV) risk and cholesterol (lipid) management in a community-based senior population. A multidisciplinary partnership composed of governmental agencies, a member of the pharmaceutical industry, a college of pharmacy, and several community-based health care practitioners collaborated in the program.

Design: Prospective CV risk assessment, educational interventions, and follow-up.

Evaluating medication regimens in the elderly.

Medications are probably the single most important health care technology in preventing illness, disability, and death in the geriatric population. The evaluation of the medication regimen is a valuable function of the pharmacist in any practice setting. Important components in the evaluation process include an understanding of medication-related problems in the geriatric patient, risks for medication-related problems in this patient population, information regarding assessment, appropriate prescribing for geriatric patients, and adherence and compliance practices of these patients.