The use of guest speakers in higher education and implications for pharmaceutical teaching: a systematic review of literature

Abstract

Background The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the current literature on the use of guest speakers in higher education teaching and evaluate the implications of the findings for teaching in pharmaceutical teaching. Methods A comprehensive search of different academic databases for literature on the use of guest speakers in higher education teaching was conducted and articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. A total of 15 articles were used in this systematic review. Results The use of guest speakers has critical benefits including promoting better learning, good career preparedness, positive learning outcomes, and creating an environment where learners have the opportunity to perceive real-world scenarios from the experiences of the guest speakers and thus be better prepared for the job market. With the increasing importance of the role of guest speakers in higher education learning, researchers have been engaging in coming up with standards and best practices for enhancing the effectiveness of the use of guest speakers in learning. The use of guest speakers in the teaching of pharmacy can enhance positive health outcomes by allowing students to have a better view of the situations they will deal with in their careers. Conclusion The use of guest speakers can have major positive outcomes in promoting effectiveness in learning among students of pharmacy. Professors teaching pharmacy courses have the opportunity to benefit from various tools and resources that academic researchers have developed for guiding the process of the use of guest speakers in pharmacy teaching.