Professional preparatory health programmes generally involve clinical placements with a focus on integration of theory into real life practice. Reflective writing is often included in the assessment requirements for clinical placement courses. However enabling students to engage in deeper levels of reflective writing in action, on action and for…

In the present article, the reorientation of a fourth-semester physiology course for pharmacy students is described. The motivation for the introduction of changes was to prepare the students to not only assimilate facts but to learn and understand how to integrate and apply them. The article considers how this reorganization was received by the…

[beta]-lactamases are hydrolytic enzymes that inactivate the [beta]-lactam ring of antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins. The major diversity of studies carried out until now have mainly focused on the characterization of [beta]-lactamases recovered among clinical isolates of Gram-positive staphylococci and Gram-negative…

This study investigates fourth-year pharmacy students' experiences of problem-based learning (PBL). It adopts a phenomenographic approach to the evaluation of problem-based learning, to shed light on the ways in which different groups of students conceive of, and approach, PBL. The study focuses on the way students approach solving problem…

This research examined: a) the extent of diversity that exists among entering college freshmen's learning styles; b) whether, and the extent to which, learning style is influenced by gender; and c) whether high school grade point average (HS/GPA) is a determining factor in academic success. The "Productivity Environmental Preference…

Experiential placements are increasingly recognised as an essential component of university programmes, providing students with real-world contexts to apply their knowledge and to develop practical skills and personal attributes. In Australia, professions such as pharmacy have traditionally developed experiential placement programmes within state…

Human beings vary in their responses to the drugs prescribed to them. These variations can be due to differences in their age, gender, weight, health status, diet, concurrent therapy and genetic make-up. Recently, it has been estimated that 85% of a patient's response to drugs is due to the genetic make-up of the individual (Snedden, 1999).…

The purpose of the paper is twofold: (1) To contrast the longstanding tradition of private and public courses of chemistry with the public demonstrations of physics. Whether taught in public institutions such as the Jardin du Roi or by apothecaries in their officines chemistry demonstrations were not for the entertainment of their audiences.…

Earplugs are sold in most pharmacies. Because I teach at a college of pharmacy, I want my students to understand a particular feature of earplugs called the Noise Reduction Rating, or NRR. The NRR is a rating of the effectiveness of earplugs at decreasing the amount of sound (or noise) entering the ear. Typical values range from 12 dB to 33 dB;…

The use of the Keller Plan for pharmacy students at the University of Tennessee is reported. A course description is offered, teacher workload reviewed, and suggestions made for using the method in small-group courses in medical schools. (LBH)

Describes the implementation of a structured service-learning program at the Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy. Students were expected to secure a service-learning site and spend 32 hours in service to the community. Summative evaluation responses from the sites were very positive, and relationships developed between students and the…

To provide graduate students in pharmacology/toxicology exposure to, and cross-training in, a variety of relevant laboratory skills, the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy developed a "methods" course as part of the core curriculum. Because some of the participating departmental faculty are neuroscientists, this course often applied…

A computerized patient profile system is used in a practice laboratory taught in a pharmacy student's fourth year. Exposure to both a manual family card system and the computerized individual profile system allows the student to achieve a level of competence and confidence with more than one system in monitoring and evaluating the ambulatory…

An approach to the teaching of biostatistics is discussed that is presented in a multistage fashion beginning with a core of knowledge in a separate course but rapidly integrated with other basic science and clinical courses in the pharmacy curriculum. Biostatistics is thus seen as more interesting and relevant to the student. (LBH)

A rationale for defining "clinical pharmaceutical scientist" is developed along with an outline of the aims and purposes of a training program for him. Postdoctoral (PharmD) fellowships are described as the most effective training method. (LBH)