title: Use of SMART learning objectives to introduce continuing professional development into the pharmacy curriculum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a 2-year continuing professional development (CPD) training program improved first-year (P1) and second-year (P2) pharmacy students' ability to write SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timed) learning objectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year students completed live or online CPD training, including creating portfolios and writing SMART objectives prior to their summer introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE). In year 2, P1 and P2 students were included. SMART learning objectives were graded and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On several objectives, the 2011 P1 students (n = 130) scored higher than did the P2 cohort (n = 105). In 2011, P2 students outscored their own performance in 2010. In 2011, P1 students who had been trained in online modules performed the same as did live-session trainees with respect to SMART objectives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With focused online or live training, students are capable of incorporating principles of CPD by writing SMART learning objectives.
authors.affiliation: Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA. toyin.tofade@gmail.com
authors.forename: Toyin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tofade
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khandoobhai
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leadon
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D010604:Pharmacy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy