The impact of advanced pharmacy practice experiences on students' readiness for self-directed learning.
To evaluate the impact of advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) on doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students' readiness for self-directed learning.



The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) was administered to students prior to and after completing their APPEs. SDLRS is a validated instrument that determines the relative degree to which students have the attitudes and motivation to engage in self-directed learning.



Seventy-seven (64%) students completed the SDLRS prior to starting their APPEs and 80 (67%) students completed the instrument after completing their APPEs. Forty-six (38%) students completed both. Prior to starting their APPEs, 74% of students scored greater than 150 on the SDLRS, indicating a high level of readiness for self-directed learning. No significant difference was found between the mean scores of students who took the SDLRS both prior to (159 +/- 20) and after completing their APPEs (159 +/- 24; p > 0.05).



Students at our institution appear to be ready for self-directed learning but APPEs had a minimal impact on their readiness for self-directed learning.
Huynh
Donna
D
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, Baltimore, MD 21201-1180, USA. dhuynh@rx.umaryland.edu
Haines
Stuart T
ST
Plaza
Cecilia M
CM
Sturpe
Deborah A
DA
Williams
Greg
G
Rodriguez de Bittner
Magaly A
MA
Roffman
David S
DS
D000328:Adult; D004514:Education, Pharmacy, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult