Traditional and Novel Predictors of Classroom and Clerkship Success of Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Objectives. This study was designed to assess the extent to which 7 traditional and novel predictors contribute to overall pharmacy grade point average (pharmacy GPA), first through third year pharmacy GPA (1-3 year GPA), and clerkship GPA of pharmacy students. Methods. This investigation used a convenience sample and a blinded retrospective record review of the first 3 class years of Doctor of Pharmacy students at Shenandoah University's Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy (Classes of 2000, 2001, and 2002). Results. Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) score, essay score, California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI) and Skills Test (CCTST) were all significant predictors of pharmacy GPA. PCAT and CCTDI contributed significantly to 1-3 GPA. Finally, only the CCTST proved to be a significant predictor of the clerkship GPA. Conclusion. This study corroborated previous studies by concluding that several traditional predictors of students' performance appear to significantly predict academic outcomes. However, it advances the study of predictors of pharmacy students' performance by examining the role of critical thinking in students' performance.

Admissions Criteria as Predictors of Academic Performance in a Three-Year Pharmacy Program at a Historically Black Institution

“…In their study conducted at a 4-year pharmacy program, Kidd and Latif found that PCAT composite score did not predict fourth-year experiential performance. 4 Our results suggest that additional admissions measures for experiential success are needed in order to ensure the students' overall academic success. In a 3-year pharmacy program, this is critical because the practice experiences occur concurrently with the didactic courses.…”

“…3 Other studies indicate the PCAT is a moderate to strong predictor of grades earned in pharmacy programs. [4][5][6] Other studies show that PCAT subtest scores are more predictive than the PCAT composite score of first-year GPA. [7][8][9] In addition to the PCAT, other predictors of academic success in the pharmacy programs are evaluated.…”

“…Hardigan et al reported that faculty interview score was a significant predictor of first-year GPA, while Kidd et al reported that faculty interview score was not a predictor of first-through third-year GPA. 4,8 Other studies evaluating admissions criteria also have conflicting results, such as those evaluating the predictive ability of cumulative prepharmacy GPA, 4,6,8,[11][12][13][14][15] and prior work experience. 16,17 Briceland and Hamilton reported that students with previous pharmacy work experience and higher first-year GPAs had higher third-year (P3) experiential GPAs.…”

“…[12][13][14] In contrast, attainment of a 4-year college degree was not a significant predictor in the models studied by Thomas, et al 9 Although several studies have correlated admissions criteria to academic success, most of these were in 4-year pharmacy programs, and results were inconsistent. [4][5][6][7][8][9][11][12][13][14][15]19 Limited studies have been conducted in 3-year pharmacy programs. In 2009, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) reported thirteen 3-year pharmacy programs enrolling students.…”

Admission Variables Predictive of Academic Struggle in a PharmD Program

“…Predictors of academic success within pharmacy degree programs have included prepharmacy GPA and prepharmacy math/science GPA, 14,17,20,24 PCAT composite and PCAT subcategory scores, 18,20,21,25,27 and achievement of a 4-year college degree. 14,16,17,19,24,30 In contrast, some studies do not consider GPA as predictive, 14,16,18,19,23,27 some studies suggest use of the PCAT subcategory scores 10,15,20,22 over the PCAT composite score, and 1 study opposed the 4-year degree achievement as a predictor of success in pharmacy school. 22 Another study assessed factors related to advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) grades in doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) programs.…”