OBJECTIVE: To design and implement a small-group self-guided active-learning format for a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) curriculum, and assess changes in first-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students' attitudes and knowledge of CAM. DESIGN: Students received an overview CAM lecture from a faculty member, and brief presentations with defined parameters on natural products from their peers. ASSESSMENT: Based on pre- and post-intervention survey responses, the percentage of students who strongly agreed about the importance of CAM in pharmacy practice increased from 28% to 55% and the percentage of students who agreed or strongly agreed about the harmful effects of dietary supplements increased from 60% to 96%. Overall, students' attitude toward and self-assessed knowledge of dietary supplements improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention survey. CONCLUSION: Small-group self-guided learning of CAM, followed by peer presentations on dietary supplements, was successful in significantly improving pharmacy students' attitude toward and knowledge of CAM.
OBJECTIVE: To design and implement a small-group self-guided active-learning format for a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) curriculum, and assess changes in first-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students' attitudes and knowledge of CAM. DESIGN: Students received an overview CAM lecture from a faculty member, and brief presentations with defined parameters on natural products from their peers. ASSESSMENT: Based on pre- and post-intervention survey responses, the percentage of students who strongly agreed about the importance of CAM in pharmacy practice increased from 28% to 55% and the percentage of students who agreed or strongly agreed about the harmful effects of dietary supplements increased from 60% to 96%. Overall, students' attitude toward and self-assessed knowledge of dietary supplements improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention survey. CONCLUSION: Small-group self-guided learning of CAM, followed by peer presentations on dietary supplements, was successful in significantly improving pharmacy students' attitude toward and knowledge of CAM.
Keywords:
assessment; complementary and alternative medicines; dietary supplements; pharmacy education
Authors: Seena L Zierler-Brown; Jenny A VanAmburgh; Kristin A Casper; Linda L Krypel; Amista Lone Salcido; Victor A Padron; W Steven Pray; Andrea L Wall; Jenelle L Sobotka; Janet P Engle Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2006-12-15 Impact factor: 2.047