ERIC Number: EJ1428919
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2766-8991
Beyond the PharmD: Students' Perceptions of the Pharmacy and Physician Assistant Dual Degree Program
Yen H. Dang; Gregory K. Shaeffer
Teaching and Learning Excellence through Scholarship, v3 n1 2023
A cross-sectional study was conducted at a 3-year pharmacy program in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Students were asked about their familiarity with the PharmD-PA dual degree and its associated benefits and limitations. Students' perceptions of the PharmD-PA dual degree on their career outlook, quality of life, salary, and its ramifications on the healthcare sector were assessed. Descriptive and chi-square analysis were conducted. Seventy-two students completed the survey from all 3 years of pharmacy school, and only 35 students (48.6%) were familiar with the PharmD-PA dual degree program. Students noted the benefits of pursuing the PharmD-PA dual degree to be acquiring prescriptive authority (44.4%), improved clinical knowledge (29.2%), and better career opportunities (18.0%). The main limitations included the additional time in school (40.3%), financial barriers of the program (26.4%), and increased school workload (16.7%). Most students believed that the PharmD-PA dual degree had positive effects on their job prospects, salary, career satisfaction, and allowed for overall improvements in patient care. Overall, pharmacy students had positive perceptions of the PharmD-PA dual degree program. Schools of Pharmacy should look into the development of PharmD-PA dual degree programs as a unique marketing opportunity for admissions and as a nontraditional method of career advancement.
Descriptors: Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Education, Black Colleges, Allied Health Occupations Education, Allied Health Personnel, Interdisciplinary Approach, Student Attitudes, Knowledge Level, Barriers, Employment Qualifications, Salaries
Board of Trustees of the Community College of Baltimore County. 7201 Rossville Boulevard, ADMN 101, Baltimore, MD 21237. Tel: 443-840-3756; e-mail: rminor@ccbcmd.edu; Web site: https://tales.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/tales
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Rhode Island; Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A