title: Active-learning implementation in an advanced elective course on infectious diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the development, implementation, and assessment of an advanced elective course on infectious diseases using active-learning strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pedagogy for active learning was incorporated by means of mini-lecture, journal club, and debate with follow-up discussion. Forty-eight students were enrolled in this 4-week elective course, in which 30% of course time was allocated for active-learning exercises. All activities were fundamentally designed as a stepwise approach in complementing each active-learning exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Achievement of the course learning objectives was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale survey instrument. Students' awareness of the significance of antimicrobial resistance was improved (p ≤ 0.05). Students' ability to critically evaluate the infectious-disease literature and its application in informed clinical judgments was also enhanced through these active-learning exercises (p ≤ 0.05). Students agreed that active learning should be part of the pharmacy curriculum and that active-learning exercises improved their critical-thinking, literature-evaluation, and self-learning skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An elective course using active-learning strategies allowed students to combine information gained from the evaluation of infectious-disease literature, critical thinking, and informed clinical judgment. This blended approach ultimately resulted in an increased knowledge and awareness of infectious diseases.
authors: Touro College of Pharmacy, New York, NY 10027, USA. Levita.Hidayat@touro.edu
authors: Levita
authors: L
authors: Hidayat
authors: Shreya
authors: S
authors: Patel
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Veltri
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003479:Curriculum; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents