Taylor D Steuber, Daniel J Trujillo, Erika L Kleppinger, Miranda R Andrus, Nathan A Pinner, Lori B Hornsby, Emily McCoy, Lea S Eiland
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of curricular content reduction in a three-year integrated course sequence in a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum on student reported mental and physical health.
Methods: A 3-hour, 5-day a week integrated course sequence spanning three years of a curriculum was transitioned to a 3-hour, 4-day a week course, representing 207hours of reduced in-class time. After implementation, first- through third-year pharmacy students were asked to complete a 23-item voluntary survey asking about the impact of the curricular change on their mental and physical health, how they spent time on the non-Integrated Learning Experience (ILE) course day, and additional demographic and social characteristics. Respondents were asked to participate in follow-up focus group sessions to elucidate on the findings of the survey.
Results: A total of 197 students (50.3% response rate) representing the classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 responded to the survey and 15 students participated in one of four focus group sessions. The majority of students indicated a preference for a 4-day week compared to the 5-day week course and reported improvement in mental and physical health during the 4-day week course. Most students used the additional time to study or complete assignments while many third-year students used it to work, but many also used it to complete personal errands and activities, which led to a positive impact on their wellbeing.
Conclusion: Student self-reported mental and physical health improved with reducing curricular content by one course session (3hours) per week.
期刊介绍:
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