Development of the veterinary medicine rotation component of the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences curriculum

ObjectivesTo develop the veterinary medicine rotation component of the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) curriculum, to assess pharmacy students’ performance and perceptions toward the veterinary medicine rotation, to assess student performance on a subjective, objective, assessment, and plan (SOAP) note, and to evaluate preceptor performance of the rotation.MethodsThe curriculum was designed to expose students to a veterinary clinical setting. Formative and summative instruments were distributed via E*Value™ for student self-assessment, rotation evaluation, and preceptor evaluation. Quantitative and qualitative data were used to assess the outcome of student visits to a veterinary clinical site during the third year of a pharmacy curriculum. Data were collected and analyzed following the completion of the rotation.ResultsOf 85 students, 84 finished the survey (98.8%). Results revealed that the rotation benefitted students’ pharmacy education and roles as pharmacists (88.1%). Students reported improved confidence in their ability to educate clients whose animals require prescriptions (95.2%). Students also reported an increase in such “customer service” areas as the importance of a “caring attitude” and the proper behavior of a health care provider (89.3%). Active learning sessions helped students meet the learning objectives of the rotation.ConclusionStudents found the rotation to be useful and beneficial to their pharmacy education and roles as pharmacists. The rotation enhanced students’ performances, attitudes, and perceptions in providing assistance to veterinarians, animal patients, and clients of veterinarians. A pharmacy curriculum integrating a realistic veterinary clinical setting is a useful and novel method to inspire students about veterinary medicine.