Doctor of Pharmacy Course Descriptions
PHAR 601 Pharmaceutics I
4 semester credits: 75 lecture and lab contact hours / 75 total hours per term
This course provides the basic foundation of pharmaceutical calculations which includes fundamentals of measurement systems, dosage and concentration units, isotonic solutions, electrolyte solutions and calculations related to traditional dosage forms, extemporaneously compounded products and radiopharmaceuticals. The course introduces the principles, practice, and technologies applied in the preparation of various pharmaceutical dosage forms. It entails the application of physical and chemical characteristics of active ingredients and excipients to the design, development, formulation, stabilization, and quality control of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Non-sterile compounding component of the course focuses on extemporaneous preparation of solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms. This course also presents the compendial methods of evaluation of different dosage forms. Regulations and standards governing the manufacturing and compounding of pharmaceuticals are also introduced in this course.
Prerequisites: None
PHAR 602 Biochemistry
4 semester credits: 50 lecture contact hours / 50 total hours per term
PHAR 602 is a rigorous course designed to provide pharmacy students with a fundamental understanding of current concepts in biochemistry and molecular biology. This course offers a detailed examination of the structure, function, and metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. This course also focuses on the mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription, translation, DNA repair, mutations, cell cycle, and signal transduction. Techniques used to study biochemistry and molecular biology are also presented in the context of these major biological processes. Ultimately, this course will helps students understand how biomolecules work to carry out the myriad of tasks in cells and utilize the unifying chemical logic that underlies life in all of its great diversity.
Prerequisites: None
PHAR 603 Evidence Based Practice I
1 semester credit: 25 lecture contact hours / 25 total hours per term
The EBP-1 course provides students with a foundation in systematic approaches to drug information and to optimize the communication of this information. The course will introduce students to commonly used drug information resources that are available both in print and electronically. Review of relevance, retrieval, evaluation and clinical application of these resources will be emphasized. Students will learn to identify clinical questions and utilize resources to approach drug information components of clinical situations in order to make evidence based clinical decisions. Students will also develop skills in the tailoring and communicating drug information to patients, healthcare professionals, as well as the public.
Prerequisites: None
PHAR 604 Communication and Professionalism in Healthcare
2 semester credits: 38 lecture and lab contact hours / 38 total hours per term
This course is designed (1) to introduce the students to the theories and principles of interpersonal communication, (2) to present strategies for engaging in effective communication with patients and other healthcare providers, and (3) to provide opportunities for students to develop their communication skills. Specific communication skills that will be covered in this course include: interviewing and listening, empathy, nonverbal communication, addressing patients’ needs and preferences, assessing patients’ understanding, and assertive communication. Students will be able to practice the communication skills learned in this course during the role-play sessions and subsequently reinforced throughout the
curriculum.
Prerequisites: None
PHAR 605 Pharmacy Law & Ethics
3 semester credits: 50 lecture and lab contact hours / 50 total hours per term
The purpose of this course is to gain knowledge of the basic provisions of State and Federal pharmacy laws and regulations pertaining to pharmacy practice, licensure, controlled substances, legal liabilities, laws and regulations of other health care providers, and pharmacy case law. Following completion of the course, the student will be able to apply ethical and legal decision making to the development, promotion, distribution and utilization of medications.
Prerequisites: None
PHAR 606 My First Patient
2 semester credits: 38 lecture hours / 38 total hours per term
My First Patient provides students with the foundational clinical knowledge base to engage in the providing of patient care. The course will introduce students to basic laboratory values and diagnostic tests. Students will also be introduced to basic principles of patient assessment, including history taking, medication reconciliation, and physical assessment. Aspects of nonprescription drug therapy and the concepts of self-care, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of self-care health issues will be discussed. Students will also be trained on immunization techniques and will be immunization certified through the APhA Immunization Certification Program. The fundamentals of patient documentations will also be covered in the course and reinforced through practice patient cases and documentation opportunities.
Prerequisites: None
PHAR 607 Pharmaceutics II
4 semester credits: 65 lecture and lab contact hours / 65 total hours per term
This course entails the biopharmaceutical aspect of drug products. The course will address biological and physiochemical factors that influence drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Other topics include principles of bioavailability and bioequivalence, sterile product calculations, mathematical and clinical principles, and novel drug delivery systems. Also included in the course is the sterile compounding of pharmaceutical formulations.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 608 Microbiology and Immunology
3 semester credits: 38 lecture hours / 38 total hours per term
PHAR 608 is designed to give the student insight into the fundamentals of microbiology and immunology with emphasis on its relation to human biology and disease. The course covers the basic properties of microorganisms, microbial physiology and genetics, the principles of microbial pathogenicity, and the mode of action of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance at the cellular level. The fundamentals of molecular immunology, along with an overview of innate and adaptive immunity, molecular basis of antibody diversity, T-cell and B-cell differentiation, complement, inflammation, hypersensitivity, and transplantation immunology are among the topics discussed. By integrating lectures, case studies, laboratories, and group discussions, the student will learn the concepts of microbiology and immunology and the application of microbiological techniques for research and diagnosis.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 609 Patient Self-Care
2 semester credits: 38 lecture hours / 38 total hours per term
This course continues to introduce students to nonprescription medications, herbal supplements, vitamins, tobacco treatment as well as the concepts of self-care. Students will learn to distinguish treatable signs and symptoms of common diseases and exclusions for care that require referral to appropriate health care practitioners. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological preventive measures and treatments of self-care health issues will be reviewed. Patient cases, self-care consultations,lectures and role-plays provide teaching approaches used to facilitate learning.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 610 Evidence Based Practice II
3 semester credits: 50 lecture hours / 50 total hours per term
The purpose of this course is to develop students’ ability to critically appraise original research in primary literature. Such ability is crucial for students when making evidence-based decisions regarding patient care. This course has three areas of focus: research methodology, statistical analysis, and literature review. The knowledge in these areas lays the foundation for students to critique study design, interpret study results, and evaluate study conclusions. Various learning activities, such as classroom discussion, individual assignments, and group projects, are given in this course for students to learn how to evaluate and critique scientific literature.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 611 Principles of Drug Action
3 semester credits: 38 lecture hours / 38 total hours per term
The Principles of Drug Action course will provide students with the foundational science knowledge base pertaining to drug action. The conceptual understanding of the physicochemical properties of drug molecules, structure activity relationships, drug metabolism, receptor theory, drug-receptor interactions, principles of drug toxicity and drug-drug interaction will form the basis of understanding of patient-directed therapeutic approaches that will be covered in subsequent Integrated Patient Care (IPC) courses. Students will also be introduced to the basis of the autonomic nervous system, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of autonomic drugs.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 612 My First Colleague
1 semester credit: 25 lecture hours / 25 total hours per term
My First Colleague provides students an introduction to interprofessional education/practice. Pharmacy students will engage with peers in Nursing and Physical Therapy programs and develop recognition of unique roles and responsibilities (scope of practice) for each discipline. Students will also learn/develop the values, ethical behavior, communication skills and teamwork skills essential for functioning as a member of an interprofessional team.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 613 IPC 1-Fluids and Electrolytes
2 semester credits: 38 lecture contact hours / 38 total hours per term
The IPC-1 course provides students with the scientific and clinical knowledge pertaining to fluid, electrolytes and acid-base balance of our bodies. First, students will learn the physiological functions of electrolytes, fluid and electrolyte disorders, and their etiology, clinical signs and symptoms. Students will then develop an understanding of pharmacological and chemical mechanism of the medications used for the treatment of electrolyte disorders. Through this integrated approach of learning, students will be able to apply the knowledge to evaluate patient’s electrolyte and fluid status and recommend personalized preventive and therapeutic strategy for the fluid and electrolyte disorders.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 614 US Healthcare System
2 semester credits: 25 lecture contact hours / 25 total hours per term
The course aims to provide students with an overall understanding of the U.S. health care system. Students who complete this course should be able to describe several important aspects of the health care system, such as the key stakeholders of the system, the service delivery settings and processes, and financing mechanism of the system. The outcomes of the U.S. health care system will be examined from the perspectives of cost, quality and access, and related health policy issues will be discussed. In addition, this course will introduce components in the health care system that pertain to pharmacists, such as pharmaceutical industry, government agencies that regulate drugs and health services, as well as various system changes due to the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 615 IPC 2-Renal/Respiratory
3 semester credits: 50 lecture contact hours / 50 total hours per term
The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with renal and respiratory disease. The course will introduce the pathophysiology of a particular disease condition, followed by the respective drugs or drug classes emphasizing mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and effects on various organ systems, toxicity profiles, contraindications, and drug-drug interactions. Pharmacotherapeutics will be taught in a sequential and integrative manner to link principles of medicinal chemistry coupled with the pharmacology of the drugs used in the corresponding disease and the pathophysiology and therapeutic principles in clinical practice. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed. This will enable students to correlate the knowledge from both basic sciences and clinical sciences and to develop rational therapeutic recommendations to various healthcare providers and patients.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 616 IPC 3-Endocrine
3 semester credits: 50 lecture hours / 50 total hours per term
The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with endocrinologic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal and pituitary gland disorders. The course will introduce first the pathophysiology of a particular endocrine disorder, and then will present the respective drugs or drug classes emphasizing on their structure-activity relationship, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and effects on various organ systems, toxicity profiles, contraindication, and drug-drug interactions. Pharmacotherapeutics will be taught in a sequential and integrative manner to tie in the knowledge and concepts from medicinal chemistry coupled with the pharmacology of the drugs used in the corresponding disease and the pathophysiology and therapeutic principles in clinical practice. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed. This will enable students to relate the knowledge from both basic sciences and clinical sciences and to develop rational therapeutic recommendations to various healthcare providers and patients.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 617 Pharmacokinetics (Basic & Clinical)
4 semester credits: 62 lecture contact hours / 62 total hours per term
This course is a comprehensive course that focuses on basic pharmacokinetic principles and their applications to individualized drug dosages. The course is comprised of three parts. In the first part of the course, mathematical and physiologic principles of pharmacokinetics, compartmental modeling, and relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be discussed. The second part of the course will cover various factors that influence pharmacokinetic parameters in a clinical practice setting. The last part of the course will illustrate clinical applications of pharmacokinetics to specific drugs through presentation and solution of problems commonly encountered in the clinical practice setting.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 618 Institutional Pharmacy Practice
2 semester credits: 38 lecture contact hours / 38 total hours per term
The course introduces administrative, clinical, and distributive functions of a pharmacist in an institutional setting. Pharmacist’s role in integrating clinical monitoring of drug therapy with distributive functions, role of organizations such as Joint Commission and regulatory agencies such as State Board of Pharmacy in assuring high quality of care, and function of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee will be reviewed. Concepts of patient medication safety including interprofessional responsibilities for medication safety and approaches to the management and prevention of medication errors as well as reporting of these errors will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to management and leadership concepts as well as IT infrastructure impacting practice of Pharmacy (e.g. Electronic Medical Record—EMR, Computerized Prescriber Order Entry—CPOE, automated dispensing systems).
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 619 Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Science
3 semester credits: 50 lecture contact hours / 50 total hours per term
This course covers the description and application of economic-based evaluation methods to pharmaceutical products, treatments and clinical services. This includes understanding principles, which help decision makers maximize clinical, and/or humanistic outcomes given economic constraints. Additionally, this course will provide an introduction to the role of managed care and Medicare in the US health care delivery system. Students learn to assess the impact of economics on pharmaceutical use, evaluate pharmacoeconomic studies and make decisions on the cost effectiveness of therapeutic alternatives.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 620 Pharmacogenomics and Contemporary Biotechnology
2 semester credits: 25 lecture contact hours / 25 total hours per term
PHAR 620 is a course oriented for 2nd year pharmacy students. This course consists of lectures designed to introduce the theory and practice of pharmacogenomics and biotechnology. It is most likely that in coming years, personalized medicine will revolutionize the practice of medical disciplines by offering efficacious pharmacotherapy guided by the genetic variants in an individual patient. The goal of this course is to give students an understanding of the principles of human genetics, genomics, and biotechnology as they apply to improving the problems in drug therapy optimization and patient care. The genetic basis of variability in drug response can contribute to drug efficacy and toxicity, adverse drug reactions, and drug-drug interactions. As such pharmacists need a thorough understanding of the genetic component of patient variability and principles of biotechnology to deliver effective individualized pharmaceutical care. The rationale for biotechnology-driven products and the main methods used to deliver and target biological drugs are discussed in this course. Also introduced in this course are important concepts associated with biotechnology product handling, storage, and administration. The principles covered in this course will soon become part of clinical care such that a well-trained pharmacist will need to know how to critically evaluate, interpret, and apply this information on a daily basis.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 621 Patient-Centered Care
2 semester credits: 38 lecture hours / 38 total hours per term
The course focuses on patient-centered practices associated with safe and effective medication use and positive patient outcomes. The role of health literacy, cultural influences on communication of health information is explored. Students will be trained in motivational interviewing skills focused on achieving positive health outcomes. Skills for pharmacist involvement in educating patients and addressing health care disparities will also be emphasized.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 622 IPC 4-Cardiology
6 semester credits: 100 lecture hours / 100 total hours per term
The concepts of physiology/pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with dyslipidemia, hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. The course will introduce first the pathophysiology of a particular disorder/disease, and then will present the respective drugs or drug classes emphasizing on their structure-activity relationship, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and effects on various organ systems, toxicity profiles, contraindication, and drug-drug interactions. Pharmacotherapeutics will be taught in a sequential and integrative manner to tie in the knowledge and concepts from medicinal chemistry coupled with the pharmacology of the drugs used in the corresponding disease and the pathophysiology and therapeutic principles in clinical practice. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as management (evaluation, treatment, monitoring and follow-up) and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed. This will enable students to relate the knowledge from both basic sciences and clinical sciences and to develop rational therapeutic recommendations to various healthcare providers and patients.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 623 IPC 5-Gastrointestinal / Nutrition
3 semester credits: 50 lecture contact hours / 50 total hours per term
The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with gastrointestinal diseases as well as patients with nutritional imbalances. The clinical utility of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and enteral nutrition will be discussed. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 624 Bio-Informatics
1 semester credit: 12 lecture contact hours / 12 total hours per term
This course will review the selection and use of technology for organizing, analyzing and managing information in health care settings. Students will have hands-on experience using technology and information systems that can improve health care practice and research. Role of pharmacists in implementation, maintenance, and use of informatics in the hospital setting (e.g. Computerized Prescriber Order Entry [CPOE], Barcode Medication Administration [BCMA], and Electronic Health Record [EHR]) to improve patient safety as well as benefits and current constraints of these systems will be explored.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 625 IPC 6-Infectious Disease
6 semester credits: 100 lecture contact hours / 100 total hours per term
This course is part two of a two part series in infectious diseases. The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with infectious diseases. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 626 IPC 7-Hematology / Oncology
3 semester credits: 50 lecture contact hours / 50 total hours per term
The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with hematologic and/or oncologic disorders. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 627 Pharmacy Practice Management
3 semester credits: 38 lecture contact hours / 38 total hours per term
This course introduces the theoretical and practical application of leadership and managerial concepts. Topics introduced in the course include, but are not limited to: organizational behavior concepts, theories of motivation, styles of leadership and emotional intelligence, tools and strategies used to design and manage operations, performance measurement, managerial accounting, financial management, as well as procurement, inventory management, and distribution of pharmaceuticals within the healthcare supply chain.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 628 Capstone Course
4 semester credits: 75 lecture contact hours / 75 total hours per term
In this course, students are engaged in Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) based learning and assessment that bring the entire curriculum together. This course provides ample formative opportunities during which students sharpen skills, apply knowledge, and demonstrate the values and attitudes of a healthcare professional in a controlled environment. Each of these courses will also have three summative assessments where the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes are assessed and student readiness for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) is evaluated. The case scenarios will be designed in such fashion that draws from all content areas covered in the curriculum.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 629 IPC 8-Neurology / Psychiatry
4 semester credits: 62 lecture contact hours / 62 total hours per term
The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of patients with neurologic and/or psychiatric disorders. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 630 IPC 9-Special Topics
4 semester credits; 62 lecture contact hours / 62 total hours per term
The concepts of pathophysiology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy are applied to the management of conditions unique to pediatric and geriatric population as well as disorders unique to men and women. The clinical presentation, course of illness, assessment of patient, and epidemiology of disease as well as treatment and preventative measures using pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 631 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
2 semester credits: 38 lecture contact hours / 38 total hours per term
The course provides introduction to the role of the pharmacist in health promotion and disease prevention. This course also covers an introduction to pharmacoepidemiology and the application of epidemiologic principles to the investigation, control, and prevention of disease as well as promoting health. Skills for pharmacist engagement in implementing aspects of Healthy People 2020 will be emphasized.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester.
PHAR 751 IPPE 1-Community Practice
3 semester credits: 120 experiential hours / 120 total hours per term
This experiential course introduces practical aspects of community pharmacy practice. Topics include, but not limited to: interpreting and evaluating patient information and prescription orders, patient interview/information gathering , prescription processing and preparation/filling of both extemporaneous compounds and proprietary medications, patient consultation and education, inventory control and management, pharmacy operations and management, compliance with regulatory requirements (State Board of Pharmacy, DEA, etc.), communication with pharmacy personnel as well as insurance companies (third party billing, Prior Authorizations etc.) and physician offices, triaging and assessing patients seeking self-care therapy, performing calculations related to prescription compounds and medication dosing based on established dosing guidelines, documentation of patient interventions (MTM), responding to drug information inquiries, providing immunizations.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 752 Patient Simulation 1 (IPE)
1 semester credit: 38 lecture contact hours / 38 total hours per term
This course provides hands-on experience managing a number of simulated patient cases in an interprofessional environment. Students apply their knowledge and skills as well as demonstrating values, attitudes, and behaviors of a professional in the controlled environment of the simulation center. The complexity of the cases commensurate with the concepts learned in the curriculum and hence advances significantly from PHAR 752 to PHAR 754. Exercises, role-plays, observations, reflections, as well as instant faculty and peer feedback form the teaching and learning modalities in this course.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 753 IPPE 2-Institutional Practice
3 semester credits: 120 experiential contact hours / 120 total hours per term
This experiential course introduces practical aspects of institutional pharmacy practice. Topics include, but not limited to: intravenous admixture and preparation, sterile IV medication compounding, medication procurement approach and strategy, medication distribution systems starting from the pharmacy department to the point of administration to the patient, safeguards to ensure safe and effective medication administration, the pharmacist’s role in integrating clinical monitoring of drug therapy with distributive functions, the role of organizations such as Joint Commission and regulatory agencies such as State Board of Pharmacy in assuring high quality of care, functions of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, systems and IT infrastructure impacting the practice of Pharmacy (e.g. Electronic Medical Record—EMR, Computerized Prescriber Order Entry—CPOE, automated dispensing systems).
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 754 Patient Simulation 2 (IPE)
1 semester credit: 38 lecture contact hours / 38 total hours per term
This course provides hands-on experience managing a number of simulated patient cases in an interprofessional environment. Students apply their knowledge and skills as well as demonstrating values, attitudes, and behaviors of a professional in the controlled environment of the simulation center. The complexity of the cases commensurate with the concepts learned in the curriculum and hence advances significantly from PHAR 752 to PHAR 754. Exercises, role-plays, observations, reflections, as well as instant faculty and peer feedback form the teaching and learning modalities in this course.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 755 IPPE 3-Selective Elective
3 semester credits: 120 experiential contact hours / 120 total hours per term
This experiential course provides students the opportunity to experience a different practice setting other than community or institutional pharmacy. Students will be given the opportunity to select placement at one of the following practice settings: Home Infusion pharmacy, Long Term Care Pharmacy and Specialized community pharmacy. Practice activities include, but not limited to: the provision of specialized patient care; development and execution of individualized care plans to manage the medication therapy of patients; clinical assessment and monitoring of patients; as well as patient and caregiver education to ensure successful patient outcomes in alternate practice settings, such as their homes, ambulatory infusion centers, or long term skilled-nursing facilities.
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of courses in prior semester
PHAR 756 Acute Care Pharmacy Practice
6 semester credits: 240 experiential contact hours / 240 total hours per term
The acute care APPE allows the student, under the supervision of a preceptor, the opportunity for substantial exposure and experience in the comprehensive treatment and inpatient management of disease states of adult patient populations that are admitted to a hospital or other institutionalized setting with common acute or chronic conditions. An acute care APPE can include experiences in internal medicine or family medicine. Students engage in practice management; practicing as part of an interprofessional team; direct patient care activities including obtaining and recording patient medical and medication histories, developing and updating patient therapeutic plans, monitoring lab values, and assessing for drug interactions and adverse drug reactions; interacting with other healthcare providers, and providing education to patients and other health care professionals.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all didactic coursework
PHAR 757 Hospital Pharmacy Practice
6 semester credits: 240 experiential contact hours / 240 total hours per term
The advanced institutional APPE allows the student, under the supervision of a preceptor, the opportunity to experience the integrated delivery of patient-centered care in an institutional setting with a focus on continuity of care. This APPE will further develop the student’s pharmacotherapeutic knowledge; strengthen clinical skills and enhance confidence in clinical decision making in the therapeutic management of patients in this practice setting. Students learn the goals of clinical intervention and the steps necessary to execute those interventions effectively in a multidisciplinary team. Students engage in pharmacy operations management; services associated with automated drug distribution and control; contribution to quality improvement programs and patient safety provisions at the site; active participation in the pharmacy services provided by the department including evaluating medication orders, assessing patient drug therapy, creating pharmaceutical care plans, recording medication histories, medication reconciliation, discharge counseling; participating in formulary processes; as well as developing an understanding of interdepartmental relationships within the institution and health system.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all didactic coursework
PHAR 758 Community Pharmacy Practice
6 semester credits: 240 experiential contact hours / 240 total hours per term
The advanced community APPE allows the student, under the supervision of a preceptor, the opportunity to experience the integrated delivery of patient centered care in a community practice setting with a focus on continuity of care. This APPE will further develop the student’s pharmacotherapeutic knowledge; strengthen clinical skills and enhance confidence in clinical decision making in the therapeutic management of patients in this practice setting. Students learn the goals of therapeutic intervention and the steps necessary to execute those interventions effectively. Students engage in pharmacy operations management; assessing drug therapy, evaluating and solving drug-related problems, managing medication histories, dispensing medication orders, recommending appropriate prescription and nonprescription therapy and alternative treatments, patient counseling and interacting with patients as a primary health care source, as well as participating in health screenings and patient education and wellness programs.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all didactic coursework
PHAR 759 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Practice
6 semester credits: 240 experiential contact hours / 240 total hours per term
The ambulatory care APPE allows the student, under the supervision of a preceptor, the opportunity for substantial exposure and experience in the comprehensive treatment of patients in a general or specialized outpatient setting. The primary focus of the APPE is the medication management and general care of patients with chronic medical conditions. Clinics include but are not limited to diabetes, anticoagulation, asthma, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Students engage in practice management; direct patient care activities including obtaining and recording patient medical and medication histories, drug therapy assessment for problems and appropriateness, developing pharmacy care plans or recommendations, documenting interventions, comprehensive patient counseling, monitoring therapeutic outcomes in various population groups; interacting with other healthcare providers, and providing education to patients and other health care professionals.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all didactic coursework.