Experiential Education in Community Pharmacy

Abstract

As our profession and the number of colleges of pharmacy continue to expand, the need for exceptional preceptors to guide the development of student pharmacists is great, particularly in the community pharmacy setting. In this challenging work environment, pharmacists are expanding their practice towards pharmaceutical care and medication therapy management opportunities. To prepare for tommorow's practice environment, pharmacy students must engage in advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) that are grounded in the realities of today's pharmacy environment, but also prepare them for their enhanced role in patient care. The goal of this supplement is to aid community pharmacy preceptors with developing and sustaining model experiential learning opportunities. This supplement to the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education is intended to provide guidance to community pharmacy preceptors. It begins with 2 articles describing the recent changes in pharmacy education and the rationale for advanced pharmacy practice experiences in the community setting. The next 2 articles walk preceptors through the development of an advanced pharmacy practice experience, from orientation day to the final evaluation, and what to do in between. Four articles, which will be published with Volume 70, Issue 2, of the Journal, are designed to help preceptors develop students' knowledge and skills in the areas of communication, wellness and disease prevention, health information resources, and practice management. Each article provides preceptors with tangible projects and suggestions to apply to their experiential education rotation. The community pharmacy setting is unique in that it involves the constant interaction of our profession with the general public and other health care providers. Therefore, the impression these interactions convey to others on a daily basis is critical. The final article in the series reviews the topic of professionalism. Preceptors and experiential learning environments serve a critical role in the professional development of student pharmacists. Therefore, continuous examination of these environments is needed to ensure they emulate the standards of professionalism we hope to see reflected in student pharmacists. Serving as a community pharmacy preceptor is both rewarding and challenging. The rewards can be found in many places – mainly among the patients and students with whom you work and the feeling obtained when you make an impact on either. The challenge faced by community pharmacy preceptors is in balancing a busy work environment with providing a quality learning experience for students. We hope these articles help preceptors manage that balance. We are grateful to all preceptors for taking on the challenge and hope your commitment brings you many rewards.