Factors influencing pharmacy students' attendance decisions in large lectures.
OBJECTIVE
To identify reasons for pharmacy student attendance and absenteeism in large lectures and to determine whether certain student characteristics affect student absenteeism.


METHODS
Pharmacy students' reasons to attend and not attend 3 large lecture courses were identified. Using a Web-based survey instrument, second-year pharmacy students were asked to rate to what degree various reasons affected their decision to attend or not attend classes for 3 courses. Bivariate analyses were used to assess the relationships between student characteristics and degree of absenteeism.


RESULTS
Ninety-eight students (75%) completed the survey instrument. The degree of student absenteeism differed among the 3 courses. Most student demographic characteristics examined were not related to the degree of absenteeism. Different reasons to attend and not to attend class were identified for each of the 3 courses, suggesting that attendance decisions were complex.


CONCLUSIONS
Respondents wanted to take their own notes and the instructor highlighted what was important to know were the top 2 common reasons for pharmacy students to attend classes. Better understanding of factors influencing student absenteeism may help pharmacy educators design effective interventions to facilitate student attendance.
Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA. westrsc@auburn.edu
Salisa C
SC
Westrick
Kristen L
KL
Helms
Sharon K
SK
McDonough
Michelle L
ML
Breland
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult