Objectives. To ascertain background factors that influence pharmacy students' willingness to cheat, describe attitudes regarding methods of cheating, assess prevalence of cheating and determine atmospheres that may aid in preventing academic dishonesty. Methods. Third-professional year PharmD students at 4 institutions participated in a survey administered by a class representative. Results. Of the 296 students who completed survey instruments, 16.3% admitted to cheating during pharmacy school. Approximately 74% admitted that either they or their classmates had worked on an individual assignment with a friend. Students who cheated during high school or in a prepharmacy program were more likely to cheat during pharmacy school (p , 0.0001). Those who possessed a bachelor of science (BS) degree prior to pharmacy school were less likely to cheat (p , 0.0001). Conclusions. Academic dishonesty is prevalent among pharmacy students. While few respondents directly admitted to cheating, many admitted to activities traditionally defined as dishonest.
Objective. To cross-validate an instrument to measure behavioral aspects of professionalism in pharmacy students using a rating scale that minimizes ceiling effects. Methods. Seven institutions collaborated to create a 33-item assessment tool that included 5 domains of professionalism: (1) Reliability, Responsibility and Accountability; (2) Lifelong Learning and Adaptability; (3) Relationships with Others; (4) Upholding Principles of Integrity and Respect; and (5) Citizenship and Professional Engagement. Each item was rated based on 5 levels of competency which were aligned with a modified Miller's Taxonomy (Knows, Knows How, Shows, Shows How and Does, and Teaches). Results. Factor analyses confirmed the presence of 5 domains for professionalism. The factor analyses from the 7-school pilot study demonstrated that professionalism items were good fits within each of the 5 domains.Conclusions. Based on a multi-institutional pilot study, data from the Professionalism Assessment Tool (PAT), provide evidence for internal validity and reliability. Use of the tool by external evaluators should be explored in future research.
Purpose: The objectives of this study were to describe opportunities and barriers to establishing a medication reconciliation program operated by a college-based pharmacist resident at a tertiary hospital.Methods: A pharmacist resident rotating on the telemetry floor piloted the medication reconciliation program by providing services 2-3 days per week for 4 weeks for a total of 10 days. The resident participated on medical rounds with the cardiology consult service. All patients were offered the reconciliation program. A list of patients admitted was obtained from the institution's list of admissions; discharge counselling services were initiated by the pharmacy resident, medical team or nursing. The number and type of interventions rendered as well as challenges to the implementation are described.Results: Fifty-six admission histories and 40 discharge counselling sessions were provided. The most frequent opportunity was related to interventions; 56 interventions were made. The most common interventions were improper documentation of allergies or medications (N ¼ 26, 46.4%) and not starting a previous medication (N ¼ 20, 35.7%). Non-cardiac medications accounted for 67.9% of interventions. The barriers included that the pharmacy resident provided part-time coverage; therefore, not all patients were educated and fewer interventions were made. Another barrier was related to health literacy. Over 80% of patients did not have a medication list and did not know the names of their medications.Conclusions: Pharmacist residents have many opportunities to impact patient care by conducting these services. The demand for such services may increase as pharmacist-provided medication reconciliation has been given increased national attention and since there is a push for increased pharmacist residency training. Given the limited resources, collaborations between college-and hospital-based pharmacy personnel are essential to optimize the services.
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