An innovative pharmaceutical care practical course.

The innovative practical course was developed to improve the students' ability to acquire pharmaceutical care skills. The primary components of the course were in-school training using small group discussions and hospital experience including identification, analysis, prevention and resolution of drug-therapy problems, patient counseling on their medications and diseases, and interaction with medical team. Specific objectives of the research were to (1) compare students' performance before and after the course, (2) measure students' perceptions of their pharmaceutical care skills before and after the course, (3) determine students' perception of the value of the course. Statistical comparison of pre-test and post-test grades indicated both a retention and acquiring pharmaceutical care skills. A pre-course and post-course survey instrument was designed to measure students' perception of their pharmaceutical care skills. Perception of most of the items of the survey was significantly improved at the end of the course. Overall, the majority of students were highly satisfied with the course. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the innovative pharmaceutical care practical course was successfully introduced.