How Debate Could Facilitate Group Function in Pharmacy Schools.

To study how a debate format could be a helpful tool to enhance group functionality and decision-making in schools of pharmacy. This study examines the potential of a debate format to facilitate discussion and shift viewpoints. Changes in viewpoint and feedback from the Academic Leadership Fellows Program (ALFP) Cohort 16 debates at the February 2020 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Interim Meeting generated two data sets for each discussion topic to analyze debate effectiveness. Pre- and post-debate audience viewpoints were compared to determine the extent to which debates influenced viewpoints. Continuing pharmacy education (CPE) evaluations of the debate learning objectives provided information on participants' views of the debate format. The debate format appeared to shift opinions on all three topics discussed. In addition, audience members responded in agreement or strong agreement that the debate format was of benefit to both leadership interactions and team environments. While group functionality is an important aspect of effective decision-making, it is not always considered in pharmacy school operations. Incorporating debate components could improve the quality of group functionality, thereby positively impacting decision-making in schools of pharmacy.