(131) Developing and Implementing a HyFlex Elective Course in Medical Affairs Addressing a Curricular Gap

Objective : To identify whether there was a perceived or real curricular gap in the pharmacy curriculum related to practice in medical affairs and rectify any identified gap through the development of a hybrid elective course providing certification in this area.

Methods: Students with an interest in medical affairs or the pharmaceutical industry enrolled in this course. Students completed a blinded, voluntary survey to identify familiarity with career options and exposure at course entry (n=18). The course was a pilot HyFlex, pass-fail, involving the collaboration with the Accreditation Council of Medical Affairs (ACMA). Students complete a 7-module, self-paced online comprehensive program along with additional live components. Modules are completed in a student-centered format integrating in-class instruction, online synchronous video and gaming sessions, and can be completed at the student’s convenience. This course was designed to allow students to learn efficiently and effectively (time spent and achieving competency > 80%) by combining online learning and in person class discussions to reduce their overall curricular load.

Results: Eighteen participants completed the survey. Sixteen (88%) of participants noted that they had limited or no notable knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry as a career option. Seventeen (94%) of respondents noted that they were moderately or extremely excited to learn more about the pharmaceutical industry. Students’ primary motivation for taking this course was to expand their career options and to learn about medical affairs in the pharmaceutical industry.

Conclusions: A hybrid elective course combining competency based certification in medical affairs is a curricular efficient way to further enhance student interest and motivation for the pharmaceutical industry.