title: Curriculum reform in Finnish pharmacy education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To improve pharmacy education through integrating theory and practice, coherent constructively aligned course entities, and enhanced deep-level learning.
  
  
  METHODS
  The reform was conducted collaboratively with faculty and staff members, students, and stakeholders in pharmacy. The curriculum, syllabus, and teaching methods were assessed through evaluations and research, conducting core content analyses, and measuring the workload of pharmacy education courses. The new curriculum, launched in August 2005, consists of 6 strands, comprised of different courses which run through the entire program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three years after the introduction of the reformed curriculum, the results of the reform are being evaluated. Ongoing assessments of teaching and learning will reveal how the education at the faculty level has developed since the reform. These assessment procedures are an integral part of the faculty's quality assurance program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The integration of practical training and theoretical studies was improved with personal study plans introduced to enhance students' learning.
authors.affiliation: University of Helsinki, Faculty of Pharmacy, Finland. nina.katajavuori@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katajavuori
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hakkarainen
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuosa
authors.forename: Marja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Airaksinen
authors.forename: Jouni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hirvonen
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Holm
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005178:Faculty / Q000458:organization & administration; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D016526:Workload