An outcomes research (pharmacoeconomics/pharmacoepidemiology) course for PharmD students

The project's purpose was to develop an elective outcomes research course f or second and third-year Doctor of Pharmacy students at Creighton Universit y and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Students' course outcomes included: (i) describe the concepts and methodology of these studies; and ( ii) design and present an outcomes research proposal to fellow students. St udents' outcomes are achieved through assigned readings, lectures, analyzin g case studies and completing a study proposal. The outcomes research cours e was evaluated by sending a questionnaire to students (n=31) who have 80co mpleted the course. Since this course has evolved over the past four years, students enrolled in 1998 (current, n = 10) were compared to students taki ng the course from 1995-97 (previous, n = 21). Students' ratings show they were "slightly familiar" with most topic areas before taking the course. Af ter taking the course, students generally reported a high level of usefulne ss for most items and current students were slightly higher for these items than were previous students. This course familiarized students with the br eadth of outcomes research studies, both from a "consumer" of research and from a researcher's perspective.