(309) Intention/reflection as a low resource, high impact arrow in the professional identity formation quiver

Objective : As it relates to supporting the internal and reflective aspects of professional identity formation (PIF), intention/reflection practices (I/R) have 3 objectives to help students 1) develop habitual ways of contextualizing and directing their own learning, 2) mature their internal influence via defining their values, goals and desired professional characteristics, 3) infuse the educational experience with pharmacy practice relevance.

Methods: I/R has been used in various settings as a low-resource, high-impact student experience. Prior to an educational activity, students use a series of pre-post questions to contextualize their personal experiences, expectations and goals in regards to their education and future pharmacy practice. Faculty use touchpoints to provide students an opportunity to assess and discuss the progress of the goals that were set at the beginning, their educational success and their relationship to the pharmacy profession. I/R is used in various courses across the curriculum (didactic, experiential, co-curriculum) and is embedded in all 4 years of the professional program.

Results: Students self-identify, discuss and internalize their own personal educational and professional pharmacy values, beliefs and goals via survey and classroom discussion. Faculty use the cognitive disequilibrium inherent in the professional pharmacy program to facilitate student reflection and adaptation. I/R impacts all students in the professional program.

Conclusions: I/R fosters PIF by helping students define and internalize desired skills and professionalism characteristics as they encounter a diversity of I/R-embedded educational experiences in the professional program.