An observational study on the impact of an elective course in enhancing multiple dimensions of pharmacy student wellness

Abstract

Objective

This observational study explored the impact of a comprehensive semester-long wellness elective, based on a reproducible framework, on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' self-ratings of wellness dimensions before and after taking the course.

Methods

A wellness elective was designed based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Wellness Dimensions Guide using all 8 Dimensions of Wellness. 24 students completed the elective in Spring 2024 and 19-item surveys were conducted in week 1 and week 15 of the course assessing students' perceived improvement in applying wellness strategies to their lives.

Results

Students' overall satisfaction with their wellness increased after the course from a 2.7 to a 3.5, a moderate effect based on Cohen's d scores. Students had increases in each of the 8 wellness domains, with large effects in Social, Financial and Occupational Wellness, and moderate effects in Emotional, Physical and Environmental Wellness. Comparing individual data, at least 50 % of the students had scores of their self-reported level of wellness improve in each of the 8 domains. Student agreement with a statement about knowing steps they can take to improve their wellness had a large effect and importantly, students reported a moderate positive effect on their self-reported mental health in the post course survey.

Conclusion

Implementation of a semester long elective based on the 8 SAMHSA Wellness Dimensions resulted in improvement in students' self-ratings of wellness. This study contributes to the identification of evidence-based approaches to feasibly incorporate wellness initiatives within the pharmacy curriculum.