UF College of Pharmacy revamps curriculum with a focus on team-based patient care education
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida College of Pharmacy has announced that it is reforming its doctor of pharmacy four-year educational program in an effort to prepare graduates to work in an environment where inter-professional team-based approaches to patient care are increasingly the norm.
The new curriculum is slated to begin in fall 2015 for all entering Pharm.D. students.
Building on its current Pharm.D. program, UF will integrate the fundamental basic sciences with clinical sciences, so that courses are taught within a clinical context. There also will be increased focus on on soft skills, according to UF College of Pharmacy Dean Julie A. Johnson.
“We have always provided a high caliber of pharmacy training, which is evident by the successes and national leadership exhibited by so many of our alumni today,” Johnson said. “But health care is changing rapidly, and there are new and increasing opportunities for pharmacists and our faculty. Students and alumni are embracing this curricular change, which will help ensure our students’ success when they enter practice.”
Led by Reginald Frye, a professor and chair of pharmacotherapy and translational research, the 15-member task force was asked to develop a curriculum for innovative pharmacy education with an integrated approach that seamlessly prepares graduates for new practice models while continuing the college’s involvement with new technology that advances learning. The task force evaluated current literature from all health professions, examined educational programs at other health science colleges at UF and peer colleges of pharmacy, and held faculty forums to gain input and promote discussion.
Working under the guidance of Diane Beck, an associate dean for curricular affairs and accreditation in the college, the task force proposed a new educational model that uses a body-systems approach so that students learn the context in which they will apply their knowledge in practice.
A cornerstone of the new curricular model is the development of a tandem co-curriculum that will provide students with the skills to enhance their interactions, job performance and career prospects. These skills focus on self-awareness, interpersonal communication, patient advocacy, leadership, entrepreneurship and an innovative mindset. The co-curriculum program will be developed to work collaboratively with pharmacy and other health disciplines' faculty to build a rich resource of student experiences to complement their classroom learning.