title: Integration of physical assessment within a pathophysiology course for pharmacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine first-year pharmacy students' analysis, confidence, and knowledge of patient physical assessment integrated within a pathophysiology curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective quasi-experimental study using validated pre- and post-surveys and follow-up examinations was conducted to objectively assess the confidence and knowledge of pharmacy students' physical assessment skills.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students' perceived ability to perform physical assessment techniques improved. Topic mastery was demonstrated by a final comprehensive examination with a composite student class score of 83%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  First-year pharmacy students demonstrated acquisition of patient physical assessment skills when integrated into a pathophysiology course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108, USA.
authors.forename: Christian B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013339:Students, Pharmacy