title: A pilot common reading experience to integrate basic and clinical sciences in pharmacy education.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To use a common reading experience that engages students in academic discourse both before and during a PharmD degree program and introduces students to basic science and ethical foundations in health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year (P1) pharmacy students were assigned a nonfiction text to read during the summer prior to admission to be followed by facilitated discussions. Activities using the text were integrated into the first-year curriculum. Pre-experience and post-experience student and faculty survey instruments were administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students and faculty members reported that 3 first-year courses used the text. Students noted that the text's historical perspective enhanced their understanding of both healthcare delivery and clinical research. Most students (78%) recommended continuation of the common reading experience activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students and participating faculty members found the common reading experience, which provided a hub for discussion around issues such as health literacy and ethical treatment of patients, to be a positive addition to the curriculum. Future intentions for this project include expansion across all healthcare colleges at the university.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. penni.black@uky.edu
authors.forename: Esther P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Policastri
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garces
authors.forename: Yevgeniya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gokun
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romanelli
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D005178:Faculty; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D011932:Reading; D012586:Science / Q000193:education; D013339:Students, Pharmacy