Introductory practice experience: An opportunity for early professionalization

The development, implementation, and associated outcomes of a 30-week intro ductory practice course sequence in an experiential pharmacy education prog ram is discussed. The American Council on Pharmaceutical Education accredit ation standards require entry-level PharmD curricula to include both introd uctory and advanced practice experiences for students. Developing a curricu lum at a new college of pharmacy provided opportunity to offer a course seq uence focused on early rotation experiences based upon practice philosophie s rather than technical/task based activities. The course sequence has been offered since 1998 and provides first professional year students an opport unity to experience pharmacy practice activities which focus on observation and provide learning through discovery and introspection. On-campus activi ties include presentations, panel discussions, self-directed learning, and use of guest speakers. A majority of the students surveyed increased their interest in pharmacy as a career based on experiences gained from this cour se sequence. Preceptors found the program equally rewarding and valuable th rough discussion with students concerning the issues and philosophy of phar macy practice. Based on this data it appears the course has been successful in exposing students to early professional practice philosophies, assistin g in career path evaluation, and reinforcing didactic learning through demo nstration of practice situations.