Advanced practice internship: experiential learning in a drug use and disease state management program.
OBJECTIVE
Establish a 3-year hospital internship within a drug use and disease state management program that would provide doctor of pharmacy students with experiential learning while still completing their classroom studies.


METHODS
As paid interns, students engaged in group and individual activities that assessed clinical practice guidelines. Patient monitoring and clinical intervention techniques were learned through prospective evaluation of drug therapy. Students designed evidence-based treatment guidelines and participated in all phases of development, including multidisciplinary approval, implementation, and evaluation stages.


RESULTS
Student competency was continually monitored through direct observation by a preceptor and written examinations. Patient case studies, group discussions, and poster presentations allowed assessment of student growth in knowledge and communication skills.


CONCLUSIONS
The comprehensive structure of this internship provides a broad perspective for understanding the role of the hospital pharmacist in providing pharmaceutical care. Close supervision maximizes student learning potential and fosters a mentoring relationship for both personal and professional growth.
Skledar
Susan J
SJ
School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. skledarsj@upmc.edu
McKaveney
Teresa P
TP
Ward
Charles O
CO
Culley
Colleen M
CM
Ervin
Kelly C
KC
Weber
Robert J
RJ
D000068:Accreditation; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005178:Faculty; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011231:Preceptorship; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D012570:School Admission Criteria