Context Objectives Results Discussion and Recommendations Conclusion Advancing Professional Practice Skills for Recent Bachelor of Pharmacy Graduates Rita Dhami, RPh BScPhm, PharmD, Brad Jennings, BA, BEd, MEd Rosemary M. Killeen BScPhm, PGCert, RPh, Nancy M. Waite BScPhm, PharmD Context The change in scope of practice and increased responsibilities for pharmacists in the Canadian healthcare system prompted a change from the Bachelor to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree1 As part of the Waterloo PharmD Bridging Program (see Fig. 1), a course was created for recent graduates Bachelor’s program to advance their professional practice knowledge and skills to the new standards2 Objectives The primary objective was to create a professional practice skills course to advance the learners’ clinical skills, which could be delivered remotely The course outcomes require students to: Demonstrate decision making, using an advanced scope of practice Apply physical assessment skills to patients Identify strategies to lead and manage change in current pharmacy practice Design a practice-based research project Develop a personalized continuing professional development plan Methods The course was designed to bridge gaps between old and new curricula with content delivered in a blended format with a significant asynchronous, online component complemented by a face-to-face workshop Content was organized in weekly modules which followed a pyramidal concept map and a one-day on-site clinical skills workshop at course mid-point (Fig. 2) Figure 2. Concept map for the advanced professional practice course Clinical skills workshop consisted of stations for each expanded scope of practice skill and utilized standardized patient interactions and assessments Practice Research Research principles Management / Leadership Compensation for services • Change management Administrative options management • Public health Continuous professional development Expanded Scope of Practice Skills Immunization & health promotion Prescribing (refills, emergency Rx, adapting, minor ailments) • Lab & physical assessment Fundamental skills PC process: info gather, ID / resolve DRPs, monitor, follow up3 • Communications Results To date, 130 students have successfully completed the course Weekly online discussion forums have had high engagement Course evaluations indicate students found the modules on physical and lab assessment, prescribing and immunization to be the most applicable to their current practice The research skills were most valuable to students practising in hospital settings Discussion and Recommendations Weekly discussion forums were an appropriate medium to support student learning for a professional practice course Discussion forums require ongoing support from Faculty facilitating the course to prompt students to discuss pertinent topics as many students avoided taking a strong stance on issues Students with strong written communication skills preferred this method of learning Subsequent to the workshop (mid-term), students became more animated and willing to tackle controversial issues on the discussion forums Clinical skills workshop was consistently rated the most valuable part of the course The workshop reinforced the clinical assessment skills by providing the opportunity for students to apply the appropriate skills to standardized patients Face-to-face interactions provided support to recent pharmacist graduates who may be feeling unsatisfied or frustrated by professional practice issues Conclusion Professional practice skills can be successfully delivered via a blended/ asynchronous online course, however the hands-on workshop is considered to be the most valuable component to enhance this knowledge and develop rapport amongst learners Maximum time to completion 3 years from enrolment Admission to PharmD Bridging Program Must have completed the BSc Pharmacy program at the University of Waterloo Minimum 1 term PHARM 495 Advanced Topics in Patient focused Care 0.5 credit / online PHARM 496 Advanced Professional Practice 0.5 credit / online + workshop PHARM 497 Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 1 Clinical Skills / Recognition of Prior Learning 2.5 credits Minimum 1 term Level 1 Competence Level 2 Competence Level 3 Competence PHARM 498 Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 2 2.5 credits PHARM 498 Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 2 2.5 credits PHARM 498 Transfer Credit 2.5 credits Min. 8 weeks / rotation Literature cited Educational Outcomes for First Professional Degree Programs in Pharmacy (Entry-to-Practice Pharmacy Programs) in Canada. Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC) AGM, Vancouver, June 3, 2010. National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. (2007). Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice. Cipolle RJ, Strand LM, Morley PC. (2004). Pharmaceutical Care Practice: The Clinician’s Guide. McGraw-Hill: New York. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Joe Petrik, School of Pharmacy for his assistance with this presentation. PHARM 499 Bridging Program Clinical Rotation 3 2.5 credits PHARM 499 Transfer Credit 2.5 credits PHARM 499 Transfer Credit 2.5 credits Program Complete Figure 1. Sequence of courses and clinical rotations to complete PharmD