Lin Kathryn P, Okoh Chinyere, Pope Nathan
Division of Pharmacy Practice, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, 2409 University Ave, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America.
Division of Health Outcomes, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, 2409 University Ave, Austin, TX 78712, United States of America.
Curr Pharm Teach Learn. 2025 Nov;17(11):102443. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2025.102443. Epub 2025 Jul 18.
Introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) allow pharmacy students early exposure to practice settings to prepare for advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) and help discover career interests. While only institutional health system and community IPPEs are required, ambulatory care is a growing practice model and required APPE. This study investigates the impact of a required 20-h ambulatory IPPE on pharmacy students' confidence, perceived skills, interests, and readiness for APPEs.
A cross sectional survey was conducted pre- and post-ambulatory IPPE for third-year (P3) students between 2020 and 2022 to assess confidence in various competencies. Post surveys captured overall impact and APPE readiness. A control group of fourth-year (P4) students who did not take the ambulatory IPPE completed the pre-survey for comparison.
Confidence scores increased for several competencies following the ambulatory IPPE and students felt more prepared for APPEs. Post scores were higher in P3 students than P4 students. Most students agreed that the rotation improved their patient care skills and ability to identify problems.
The ambulatory IPPE positively impacted students' perceived skills and confidence in ambulatory care, preparing them further than more tenured students who had not taken the ambulatory IPPE, particularly in patient communication and describing daily responsibilities of the pharmacist. This highlights the benefits of early exposure to ambulatory care settings in pharmacy education and suggests integrating such experiences could better prepare students for APPE success. Further research is needed to determine the optimal duration and impact on practical application of skills.
药学实践入门经验（IPPEs）使药学专业学生能够尽早接触实践环境，为进阶药学实践经验（APPEs）做准备，并有助于发现职业兴趣。虽然仅要求机构卫生系统和社区IPPEs，但门诊护理是一种不断发展的实践模式且是APPEs所要求的。本研究调查了为期20小时的必修门诊IPPE对药学专业学生的信心、感知技能、兴趣以及APPEs准备情况的影响。
在2020年至2022年期间，对三年级（P3）学生在门诊IPPE前后进行了横断面调查，以评估他们在各种能力方面的信心。后续调查收集了总体影响和APPE准备情况。一组未参加门诊IPPE的四年级（P4）学生作为对照组完成了前期调查以作比较。
门诊IPPE后，多项能力的信心得分有所提高，学生们对APPEs也感觉准备更充分。P3学生的后续得分高于P4学生。大多数学生认为轮转提高了他们的患者护理技能和发现问题的能力。
门诊IPPE对学生的感知技能和门诊护理信心产生了积极影响，相比未参加门诊IPPE的高年级学生，使他们有了更充分的准备，特别是在患者沟通和描述药剂师日常职责方面。这凸显了在药学教育中尽早接触门诊护理环境的益处，并表明整合此类经验可以更好地让学生为APPEs的成功做好准备。需要进一步研究以确定最佳时长以及对技能实际应用的影响。
