An active-learning assignment involving peer-to-peer presentations to improve pharmacy students' attitudes and knowledge of dietary supplements.
OBJECTIVE
To design and implement a small-group self-guided active-learning format for a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) curriculum, and assess changes in first-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students' attitudes and knowledge of CAM.


METHODS
Students received an overview CAM lecture from a faculty member, and brief presentations with defined parameters on natural products from their peers.


RESULTS
Based on pre- and post-intervention survey responses, the percentage of students who strongly agreed about the importance of CAM in pharmacy practice increased from 28% to 55% and the percentage of students who agreed or strongly agreed about the harmful effects of dietary supplements increased from 60% to 96%. Overall, students' attitude toward and self-assessed knowledge of dietary supplements improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention survey.


CONCLUSIONS
Small-group self-guided learning of CAM, followed by peer presentations on dietary supplements, was successful in significantly improving pharmacy students' attitude toward and knowledge of CAM.
Skaggs School of Pharmacy, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. ratayee@ucsd.edu
Rabia S
RS
Atayee
Renu F
RF
Singh
Brookie M
BM
Best
Beverley A
BA
Freedman
Candis M
CM
Morello
D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010380:Peer Review; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult