Students’ Perceptions of Learning from Work and Extracurricular Activities While Attending Pharmacy School

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine what competencies students feel they learn the most from work, school and extracurricular experiences. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered during a regularly scheduled, required class for third year pharmacy students. Students rated 30 different competencies they felt they learned the most, intermediate, and least amount from work, school and extracurricular experiences. Data on years of work experience, type of work experience, average weekly hours, age, gender, and level of involvement in professional organizations was also collected. RESULTS: There were 63 students included in this study. Students who had a higher level of participation in extra-curricular activities were found to be significantly younger than those who had lower levels of participation (p = 0.05). Students worked on average 11.5 hours a week and had an average of 3.5 years pharmacy related work experience. More than half (>50%) of the competencies were perceived by the third year students to be learned the most in the classroom setting. The competencies students felt they learned the most in the classroom and work setting were from Domain 1: Patient care and Domain 2: Professionalism and management in health systems. Students characterized 80% of the competencies in Domain 3: Health improvement, wellness, and disease prevention to be most learned through extracurricular activities. CONCLUSIONS: It appears students feel they learn primarily in the classroom setting with similar amounts of competencies gained at work and through extracurricular activities.