Student pharmacists as researchers of consumer perspectives of the role of pharmacists

ObjectiveStudents as researchers (SAR), a framework from educational science, can be used for enhancing student pharmacists' participation in research on consumer perspectives of pharmacist role. This study examined the impact of the SAR on following student pharmacists' outcomes: (1) Change in student pharmacists' perceptions of (a) the importance consumers place on services and (b) consumer attitude towards pharmacist role; (2) understanding consumer perspectives of pharmacists' role, (3) comfort in initiating dialogue with the general public; (4) ability to conduct small intervention studies with consumers, (5) motivation to provide information consumers need in future encounters, and (6) understanding barriers to consumer-pharmacist communication. In addition, student pharmacists' reflections were also examined.MethodsA prepost-quasi-experimental design was used to assess the impact of the SAR project on student outcomes. Two-hundred first professional year student pharmacists enrolled in a behavioral course at a large metropolitan university conducted the SAR project. Students were surveyed before and after the project and submitted a reflective essay. Quantitative data from surveys were analyzed using SPSS (Chicago, IL) and qualitative data from reflective essays were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe SAR project helped students realize the extent to which consumers consider pharmacist expertise, services, and relationship important. Prepost data analysis indicated that the SAR project improved student outcomes. In reflective essays, students conveyed that the activity made them more aware of patients' perceptions and raised questions about plans to improve patient-provider relationships. Conclusion: The SAR framework is effective in creating research and unique practice experiences for pharmacy students.ConclusionThe SAR framework is effective in creating research and unique practice experiences for pharmacy students.