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Enhancing an advanced community pharmacy practice experience through use of a student pharmacist manual.

Patel J

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Corvallis, PA, USA. patelj@ohsu.edu

OBJECTIVE: To present a model to preceptors in a community setting for a structured and quality advanced community pharmacy practice experience (ACPPE). DESIGN: Experiential report. SETTING: Chain pharmacy. PARTICIPANTS: Not applicable. INTERVENTION: Development and use of a student pharmacist manual in a structured, organized ACPPE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable. RESULTS: The manual, in addition to introductory materials and competencies for the ACCPE, contains five modules that focus on dispensing, management and law, nonprescription medications, consultation, and patient care. The student pharmacist is also provided with a schedule and calendar showing how goals and objectives for the rotation are distributed throughout the modules and activities of the ACCPE. Activities and assignments during the ACCPE include topic discussions, physical assessment skills review, "living with diabetes for the weekend," developing patient handouts, implementing a new pharmacy patient care service, patient consultations, and presentations. Evaluations conducted during the ACCPE help student pharmacists monitor their progress and identify strengths and weaknesses. CONCLUSION: Efforts to enhance a community practice experience can be rewarding and beneficial to both the student pharmacists and the pharmacy. A structured ACPPE gives student pharmacists an opportunity to develop skills to improve patient care in the community.

Published 14 January 2008 in J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), 48(1): 64-70.
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