title: A three-year reflective writing program as part of introductory pharmacy practice experiences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement and evaluate a 3-year reflective writing program incorporated into introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) in the first- through third-year of a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reflective writing was integrated into 6 IPPE courses to develop students' lifelong learning skills. In their writing, students were required to self-assess their performance in patient care activities, identify and describe how they would incorporate learning opportunities, and then evaluate their progress. Practitioners, faculty members, and fourth-year PharmD students served as writing preceptors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success of the writing program was assessed by reviewing class performance and surveying writing preceptor's opinions regarding the student's achievement of program objectives. Class pass rates averaged greater than 99% over the 8 years of the program and the large majority of the writing preceptors reported that student learning objectives were met. A support pool of 99 writing preceptors was created.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 3-year reflective writing program improved pharmacy students' reflection and reflective writing skills.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA. Wesley.Nuffer@ucdenver.edu
authors.forename: Wesley
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nuffer
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zielenski
authors.forename: Brianna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toppel
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Patrina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D011231:Preceptorship; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014956:Writing
keywords: introductory pharmacy practice experience; lifelong learning; pharmacy student