Literature DB >> 32327355

Managing college operations during the coronavirus outbreak.

Toyin Tofade, Monika N Daftary.   

Abstract

Entities:  

Mesh:

Year:  2020        PMID: 32327355      PMCID: PMC7146648          DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.03.027

Source DB:  PubMed          Journal:  J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)        ISSN: 1086-5802


× No keyword cloud information.
The coronavirus outbreak has had an unprecedented effect worldwide, including fundamentally changing how pharmacy schools manage their operations. A few weeks ago, we were planning our pharmacist oath and honors ceremony, and this week, we are conducting emergency meetings to discuss the delivery of remote curricula and software that includes artificial-intelligence proctoring of examinations. The issues are real. Howard University has followed the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to adopt social distancing measures such as a remote classroom or virtual environment. Subsequently, our college has adopted a remote classroom environment. All instruction is now conducted through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. All faculty were provided instructions and training regarding system operation, and licenses were obtained for each of the departments to maintain academic continuity. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and simulation-based activities were initially scheduled to be done in person with limits on the number of students allowed per session; however, with continued changes, we had to switch to telesimulation and tele-OSCE activities. This includes work with training standardized patients and our clinical skills team. Team-based learning activities, including mini-OSCEs, have been moved online and will facilitate case discussion and interaction. Our experiential rotations will continue as scheduled owing to the number of practicum hours required to obtain a pharmacy licensure in the United States. Rotation sites that choose to conduct teaching via remote or nonlive settings are given guidance by the Director for Experiential Education to ensure that we are meeting accreditation guidelines. The Office of Experiential Education is prepared to reschedule rotations that are required and are not amenable to online training modalities. For now, all exams will be conducted remotely using strategies to minimize academic misconduct. High-stakes exams, with a limit on the number of students, are still scheduled for onsite testing. Students and faculty have been informed that they should be prepared for the possibility that the academic semester will be extended to allow our students to complete their requirements for advancing to the next step or graduating in the case of our fourth year students. As of March 16, 2020, the University Commencement originally scheduled for May 9, 2020, has been cancelled, and we are in conversation with the graduating students to develop a way to honor and celebrate their hard work over the past 4 years. These are definitely uncharted waters. Some of the options we have considered include rescheduling the commencement entirely for the College of Pharmacy students or conducting a remote ceremony that will include students, faculty, staff, and family members. Some of the immediate concerns, of course, include the question of what will happen to those students who have been accepted into residencies, fellowships, and jobs. Our hope is that this situation will not extend beyond June; however, we are preparing to manage the circumstances as needed. Clearly, several operations have been affected. We are being positive and creative to keep continuity of operations. Initially, all our student interviews for the incoming Class of 2024 were changed to a hybrid model; however, as the situation deteriorated and we received word from the administration that no more than 10 people should be gathered, the interviews were changed to an all-online format. I am grateful for (1) the leadership team that has made sacrifices over spring break to ensure that we are all moving forward as a team; (2) the faculty who are willing to do the necessary to serve our students; (3) our students and their willingness to engage as we navigate uncharted territory together; (4) all our preceptors who continue to take students under risky conditions to prove that we are still critical members of the health care team; (5) the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education for allowing us some flexibility with the situation via a letter to the deans in March 2020; (6) other emergency workers (firemen, police, health professionals, and the military) who risk their lives every day to make sure we feel safe; and (7) the opportunity to show the world that we are here to serve, lead, and make a difference. This is the time for us as pharmacists to be visibly present as essential during these difficult times. Our profession depends on it. I am hopeful that many heroic stories will emerge from this crisis that will elevate the reputation of pharmacies and pharmacists so that it can inspire many to seek to be a part of this noble profession.
  4 in total

1.  Retracted COVID-19 articles: a side-effect of the hot race to publication.

Authors:  Parisa Soltani; Romeo Patini
Journal:  Scientometrics       Date:  2020-08-05       Impact factor: 3.238

2.  Leading a Digital Transformation in Pharmacy Education with a Pandemic as the Accelerant.

Authors:  Edith Mirzaian; Kari L Franson
Journal:  Pharmacy (Basel)       Date:  2021-01-12

3.  Impact of COVID-19 on graduating U.S. pharmacy students in the early epicenter of the pandemic in New York City.

Authors:  Rim Elbeshbeshy; Suzanna Gim; Elaena Quattrocchi
Journal:  Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm       Date:  2021-10-26

4.  Teaching presence predicts cognitive presence in blended learning during COVID-19: The chain mediating role of social presence and sense of community.

Authors:  Ling Li
Journal:  Front Psychol       Date:  2022-08-29
  4 in total

北京卡尤迪生物科技股份有限公司 © 2022-2023.