Toolkit for US colleges/schools of pharmacy to prepare learners for careers in academia

Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2017 Sep;9(5):750-762. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2017.05.002. Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this article is to provide an academic toolkit for use by colleges/schools of pharmacy to prepare student pharmacists/residents for academic careers.

Methods: Through the American Association of Colleges of Pharmac (AACP) Section of Pharmacy Practice, the Student Resident Engagement Task Force (SRETF) collated teaching materials used by colleges/schools of pharmacy from a previously reported national survey. The SRETF developed a toolkit for student pharmacists/residents interested in academic pharmacy.

Results: Eighteen institutions provided materials; five provided materials describing didactic coursework; over fifteen provided materials for an academia-focused Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE), while one provided materials for an APPE teaching-research elective. SRETF members created a syllabus template and sample lesson plan by integrating submitted resources. Submissions still needed to complete the toolkit include examples of curricular tracks and certificate programs.

Discussion and conclusions: Pharmacy faculty vacancies still exist in pharmacy education. Engaging student pharmacists/residents about academia pillars of teaching, scholarship and service is critical for the future success of the academy.

Keywords: Academia; Career; Student preparation; Training.

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum / trends
  • Education, Pharmacy / methods*
  • Education, Pharmacy / organization & administration
  • Faculty, Pharmacy / education*
  • Faculty, Pharmacy / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Students, Pharmacy / psychology*
  • Universities / organization & administration
  • Universities / trends
  • Workforce