Evolution of Preprofessional Pharmacy Curricula

Objectives. To examine changes in preprofessional pharmacy curricular requirements and trends, and determine rationales for and implications of modifications. Methods. Prerequisite curricular requirements compiled between 2006 and 2011 from all doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs approved by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education were reviewed to ascertain trends over the past 5 years. An online survey was conducted of 20 programs that required either 3 years of prerequisite courses or a bachelor’s degree, and a random sample of 20 programs that required 2 years of prerequisites. Standardized telephone interviews were then conducted with representatives of 9 programs. Results. In 2006, 4 programs required 3 years of prerequisite courses and none required a bachelor’s degree; by 2011, these increased to 18 programs and 7 programs, respectively. Of 40 programs surveyed, responses were received from 28 (70%), 9 (32%) of which reported having increased the number of prerequisite courses since 2006. Reasons given for changes included desire to raise the level of academic achievement of students entering the PharmD program, desire to increase incoming student maturity, and desire to add clinical sciences and experiential coursework to the pharmacy curriculum. Some colleges and schools experienced a temporary decrease in applicants. Conclusions. The preprofessional curriculum continues to evolve, with many programs increasing the number of course prerequisites. The implications of increasing prerequisites were variable and included a perceived increase in maturity and quality of applicants and, for some schools, a temporary decrease in the number of applicants

The Effects of a Sustained Silent Reading Program on the Reading Attitudes and Habits of Second Grade Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) program on the reading attitudes and habits of second grade students. The subjects were two second grade classes from a suburban school in western New York. The control group of 25 students participated in a reading program using the basal and children's literature. The treatment group of 26 students participated in a reading program using the basal and children's literature plus. a daily fifteen minute period of SSR. The treatment group participated in SSR for ten weeks. The modified Estes Reading Attitude Scale and the Survey of student's Home Reading Attitudes and Habits were administered to determine the mean pre- and post-treatment reading attitudes for both the control group and the treatment group. The Student Attitude Survey Toward SSR was also used to determine the treatment group's attitude toward SSR. The statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in the mean posttest scores of the control group and the treatment group as measured by the modified Estes Reading Attitude Scale. The analysis also indicated that there was a significant difference in the mean posttest scores of the control group and the treatment group, in favor of the treatment group, as measured by the Survey of Student's Home Reading Attitudes and Habits. The responses on the Student Attitude Survey Toward SSR showed that a majority of the students, 84.62%, had highly positive feelings toward SSR.SUNY BrockportEducation and Human DevelopmentMaster of Science in Education (MSEd)Education and Human Development Master's These

The Role Of Sexual Scandal In Politics & Policy

This study aims to further our understanding of political scandal more broadly, as well as the classification of sexual scandal cases more specifically. With regards to sexual political scandal, the research looks to answer (1) How candidate evaluations of a politician under sexual political scandal are impacted based on aspects of their identity (gender and family values) and (2) How candidate evaluations of a politician under sexual political scandal impacted by an ever-shifting public-private divide (the exposure process). The dissertation begins with an interdisciplinary overview of the literature, which is organized into five distinct facets to create a new and comprehensive understanding of the scandal process. Then, there is an overview of the mixed-method research design (focus groups and experimental surveys) and its strengths in addressing the research questions. Following this foundation, the empirical chapters lay out the findings as they relate to gender, hypocrisy, and scandal exposure and candidate evaluations, as well as additional findings that emerged from both the focus group and by analyzing characteristics of the recipients of the scandal information. Lastly, there is discussion of bettering our understanding of scandal and pragmatic uses of this research for various audiences

Third-Year Pharmacy Students’ Work Experiences and Attitudes

Objectives. To describe pharmacy students’ work experience for pay; examine student attitudes towards work; examine student perceptions of how pharmacist preceptors feel about their jobs; and determine how pharmacy student work environment influences career aspirations and whether or not gender or academic pathway have any influences. Methods. An electronic survey was administered to third-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students at a Midwestern school of pharmacy over five consecutive years. Results. Four hundred eighty nine students (response rate = 61.0%) completed the electronic survey instrument. Over 90% reported working in a pharmacy by the time their advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) began. Of these respondents, 67.4% reported working in a community pharmacy while 23.0% reported working in hospital inpatient pharmacy. Students working for independent pharmacies were most likely to feel that this type of practice site would offer an optimal work schedule and work environment for their career. Conclusions. Most students are working in community pharmacy practice. Having a fulfilling career and a desirable work schedule was the variable most strongly associated with optimal career choice. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties.     Type: Original Researc

PDA Use by Physicians: Where Do They Fit with Emerging Technologies and Use of Electronic Health Records in Office Practices?

This cross-sectional study explores physicians' attitudes and beliefs about the use of personal digital assistant (PDA) in the context of other health information technology (HIT) use and HIT-based applications safety in ambulatory care practices. The relationship of PDA use and patient safety is also explored. Ambulatory care physicians in Nebraska and South Dakota were surveyed from July to November of 2007 using a modified Dillman technique. Respondents were in one of three groups: PDA Users (those using a PDA for patient care), Other Technology Users (those not using a PDA, but using other technologies for patient care), and Non-Users (those not using any technology for patient care). PDAs are used by 43% of responding physicians, who tend to be younger and salaried. PDA Users exposed to PDAs during training continued use in practice. PDA Users believed the device enabled them to provide more efficient and better care, reduce errors, and improve patient safety