Pharmacy student acquisition of pediatric nonprescription product cost awareness: A pilot study

ObjectiveThis study evaluated if pharmacy student knowledge of the costs of pediatric nonprescription products improves as the student progresses through the curriculum.MethodsA nine-section survey was administered to students at four points in the doctor of pharmacy program: at the beginning of the first year to represent baseline knowledge, halfway through the didactic curriculum, at the completion of the didactic curriculum, and following the completion of entire curriculum. Eight sections evaluated knowledge of costs associated with specific categories of pediatric nonprescription medications or care items. For each section, products were listed and the students indicated which of the six cost categories they believed represented the true retail cost. The ninth section collected demographic information to assist in determining if sex, age, work experience, or parental status impacted student knowledge of costs in addition to progression through the curriculum.ResultOverall student performance at all levels was poor. Statistically significant differences determined by the ANOVA analysis were noted for overall right versus wrong responses for class and work experience comparisons. Sub-analysis indicated class differences were between the PS1 or PS2 groups when compared to the PS4 group and were significant for only four of the eight categories. Statistical significance was not found when analysis evaluated the impact of gender, dependents, pricing responsibility at workplace, recent purchasing of pediatric over-the-counter products, or age.ImplicationsProgressive pharmacy student acquisition of pediatric nonprescription product cost awareness appears to be minimal and should be addressed by alterations to the curriculum.