ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACY GRADUATES EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

The purpose of this project was to develop a model for a self-reported assessment of achievement of educational outcomes identified in AACP' s Background Paper II. The following areas were addressed: (i) prepara tion for demonstrating 10 occupational skills; (ii) preparation/encour agement to acquire 30 educational outcomes; and (iii) identification o f differences in occupational skills or educational outcomes when anal yzed by year of graduation and entry-level degree. A seven-page questi onnaire was mailed to 770 potential respondents from five entire gradu ating classes for one school of pharmacy (Purdue University). A respon se rate of 66.3 percent was obtained. Preparation for most occupationa l skills and educational outcomes was rated above the 1-4 scale midpoi nt. In general, more recent graduates and those with a BS degree (vs. PharmD) provided higher item ratings. This assessment of students' out comes has provided baseline information for the future refinement of t he School's educational programs. This approach can serve as a model f or other schools' assessment programs.