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Description
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy (Pitt Pharmacy) emphasizes professional development aligned with ACPE standards. Their program focuses on three areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes, requiring students to document evidence of engagement in these areas. Initially, Pitt Pharmacy used separate platforms for tracking, causing confusion and inefficiency. Implementing the Pitt Pharmacy Dashboard streamlined documentation and enhanced student engagement. The dashboard integrated co-curricular skills, made badges mandatory, and provided mobile access, improving student and faculty experiences. With 100% engagement and increased submissions, Pitt Pharmacy plans to expand training, catalog activities, and develop a micro-credential program for specific skill sets.
About the School
The University of Pittsburgh, located in Pittsburgh, PA, stands as the #1 public university in the Northeast and is recognized as a top Fulbright producer. Offering 652 degree and certificate programs, Pitt has an impressive 97% career success rate for graduates within six months of completing their studies. With over 600 student organizations, Pitt provides a vibrant and enriching environment for student growth.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy (Pitt Pharmacy) emphasizes the importance of professional development as part of its accreditation requirements from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The school's development program is aligned with the educational outcomes and skills outlined in the ACPE standards for PharmD programs.
Pitt Pharmacy's development curriculum focuses on three core areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes. Knowledge outcomes emphasize learning achievements, while Skills include competencies such as problem-solving, communication, leadership, and interprofessional collaboration. The Attitudes category focuses on self-awareness, professionalism, and advocacy. Additionally, the program highlights ten co-curricular skills, including cultural sensitivity, innovation, patient advocacy, and problem-solving.
The school’s goal is to ensure students actively document their engagement in activities that showcase their development in accordance with the Accreditation Standards.
Challenges Before Suitable
Initially, Pitt Pharmacy relied on separate platforms for documenting curricular outcomes and tracking co-curricular skills, which created confusion and inefficiency. The lack of integration between the systems, combined with an absence of real-time updates and platform instability, hindered the program's effectiveness. The school also sought stronger alignment between co-curricular skills and curriculum outcomes.
Life After Suitable
After launching their Pitt Pharmacy Dashboard, the school made documentation an integral part of the program. Students in their first year (P1) are required to submit one piece of evidence for each curriculum outcome per semester. In their second (P2) and third years (P3), students submit two pieces of evidence per outcome per semester, while fourth-year (P4) students must provide four pieces of evidence by the end of the year.
To underscore the importance of co-curricular skills, Pitt Pharmacy integrated this aspect into their required activities. The program was launched to faculty members through training modules, hands-on seminars, and lunch-and-learn sessions. Student advisors, primarily P2 and P3 students, played a crucial role in supporting P1 students through training during orientation and professional development courses..png?width=150&height=210&name=Pharmacy%20Spirit%20Logo%20-%20Blue%20-%20600x840%20-%20Transparency-01%20(1).png)
The program also requires students to earn two badges—one for Co-Curriculum Skill Requirements and one for Professional Development Requirements—further encouraging active participation and engagement.
Outcomes Achieved
Pitt Pharmacy’s shift to a centralized dashboard has led to significant improvements in student engagement and understanding. The seamless transition between old and new processes enabled students to better grasp the connections between co-curricular and curricular outcomes. Mobile accessibility and ease of submission have enhanced the student experience.
Faculty members have reported more meaningful interactions with students, and the badge system provides a quick and clear overview of student progress. Administratively, the program's enhanced reporting capabilities allow for on-demand access to student progress, making it easier to identify areas for improvement.
Since implementing the new system, Pitt Pharmacy has achieved 100% student engagement, with students documenting far beyond the required activities. There has also been a significant increase in activity submissions, both from students and professional organizations.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, Pitt Pharmacy aims to continue strengthening its professional development processes to provide robust evidence of student success for accreditation purposes. The school plans to expand training for student advisors, further integrate professional development courses, and delegate more responsibility to support staff for report generation and data collaboration. Additionally, they plan to expand the catalog of school-sponsored activities and develop a micro-credentialing program for specific skill sets.
Long-term goals include creating opportunities for students to share ePortfolios with potential employers and expanding engagement opportunities within the professional development catalog.
Take a Look Into Pitt Pharmacy's Dashboard Key Takeaways
- Establish a core team responsible for maintaining the program dashboard
- Select competencies carefully to ensure alignment between curricular outcomes and co-curricular skills
- Prioritize comprehensive training for students and faculty to ensure successful program implementation
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