Evaluation of Practice Site Learning Experience for Entry-Level Doctor of Pharmacy Students.
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate an entry-level learning experience involving 55 pharmacy students and to determine if explicit pre-site discussion of intended outcome objectives added value to the experience. All students were required to complete a daily log and a written summary of the experience. Students were also given a preand post-site self-assessment survey concerning their awareness, understanding, and mastery of the desired outcomes. With a few important exceptions (no pre-site discussion group), the students indicated through written reports and answering of surveys an increased awareness and understanding of the desired outcomes as a result of the program. The students were particularly interested in interacting with patients and lack of such interaction was often associated with negative impressions of the experience. An analysis of written reports indicated such programs are most likely to be successful when the desired objectives are discussed with students before the visit and when the student is exposed to a variety of experiences, particularly interactions with patients.