title: A small group assignment gives students a novel opportunity to demonstrate current clinical controversies in a self-care course.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To design and implement a small-group assignment on current event, nonprescription drug therapy questions in a self-care course, and to evaluate student performance in predefined areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students self-identified a current clinical question in nonprescription therapy, searched primary literature, and presented their findings to peers in class.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students were evaluated using a grading rubric on communication skills, ability to retrieve and analyze biomedical literature, and ability to formulate and defend an evidence-based recommendation. Overall, students performed well in all competencies, with grades ranging from 84% to 100% (median=92%). Faculty members completing a postassignment survey gave positive feedback regarding the educational value of the assignment and the ease of use of the designed rubric.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A course assignment that involved peer-to-peer presentations and dealt exclusively with applicable, relevant, clinical questions regarding nonprescription drug therapy gave students a novel opportunity to practice drug information skills.
authors: McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors: Jessica W
authors: JW
authors: Skelley
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010379:Peer Group; D012648:Self Care; D013339:Students, Pharmacy
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs
keywords: assessment; nonprescription medications; pharmacy education; self-care
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