Pharmacy student participation in rural interdisciplinary education using problem based learning (PBL) case tutorials

The purpose of this paper is to describe pharmacy student participation in a rural interdisciplinary health care training program that utilizes a smal l group, problem based learning (PBL) curriculum. Disciplines represented i n the interdisciplinary program included pharmacy, medicine, nursing, denta l hygiene, medical laboratory science, speech and language pathology, publi c health, social work and physical, respiratory and occupational therapy. S tudents participated in on-campus and rural community experiences. Both exp eriences made extensive use of the PBL case tutorial learning method. The r ural experience consisted of weekly case tutorials and discipline specific clinical clerkships while living in a rural community for two months. Progr am evaluation indicates positive changes in student confidence and attitude s related to interdisciplinary concepts. The Program has demonstrated succe ss in the placement of Program participants in rural or under served areas upon graduation. Interdisciplinary training may result in many benefits; th e impact the Program has had on students, faculty and participating rural c ommunities is discussed.