2022 MeRIT Primer Participants – Completed Research
Sunday, November 12, 2023
12:45 PM–02:15 PM
Abstract
Introduction: A new generation of pharmacy students are arriving, students that have always had the internet and affected by COVID-19. Schools want to ensure competent pharmacists upon program completion. The long-term goal of this study is to better understand what enables pharmacy students to be successful by identifying strategies that are transferable.
Research Question or Hypothesis: What learning strategies are used by first-year pharmacy students demonstrating success across 3 dimensions? Aim one is to determine the learning strategies used by successful first-year pharmacy students. Aim two is to describe the student demographics. Aim three is to compare learning strategies across student demographics.
Study Design: This study will utilize a comparative, exploratory mixed-methods study design applying a positive deviance model with purposive sampling.
Methods: Thirty-four first-year pharmacy students were invited to participate in the study. Students completed a survey to provide demographics and success outcomes (P1 grade point average (GPA), Stress, Resilience) data. Students in the lower and upper quartiles on at least one of the success outcomes were invited to semi-structured interviews to discuss learning strategies in first semester of pharmacy school. Interview transcripts will be reviewed to identify common themes. Procedures were IRB approved.
Results: Twenty-five students (74%) provided demographic and success outcome data. The average P1 GPA was 3.38 (Q1: 3.00; Q3: 3.94), the median Perceived Stress Scale was 23 (Q1: 18; Q3: 22), and the median Academic Pharmacy Resilience Scale was 36 (Q1: 34; Q3: 42). Eleven students completed the individual interview. Common themes discovered include scheduling study time (100%), reviewing slides after class(91%), self-created study guides(91%), teaching others (45%), and whiteboarding (18%), among others.
Conclusion: As students transition to graduate curriculum, it is important to be aware of obstacles they may face. Understanding the background of the student is one step for faculty to better prepare for new learners.
Presenting Author
Sarah Marie Anderson PharmDUNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Authors
Courtney Craig BS
High Point University
Keyla Thompson BS
High Point University
Margie Snyder PharmD, MPH, FCCP, FAPhA
Purdue University College of Pharmacy
Courtney L. Bradley PharmD
High Point University
Michelle Rapier PharmD, MPH
High Point University