(368) Building the Foundations of Pharmacy Leadership: The Creation, Implementation, and Evaluation of Leadership Development Course

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Trainee Category: Resident

Primary Author(s)

Nour K. Kadouh, PharmD

PGY1 Pharmacy Resident and Adjunct Clinical Instructor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Co-Author(s)

HD

Hannah Darmofal

PharmD Candidate 2023
University of Michigan, United States
VM

Vincent Marshall

Statistician Senior
University of Michigan, United States
Jolene R. Bostwick, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP

Assistant Dean for Co-Curriculum and Professional Development and Clinical Professor of Pharmacy
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Trainee Competition Judge(s)

RB

Rachel Barenie, PharmD, JD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, United States
Nicole S. Culhane, Pharm.D., BCPS

Professor, Assistant Dean of Experiential Education
Notre Dame of Maryland University
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
VD

Vivek Dave

Associate Professor
St. John Fisher University, United States

Objective : Keeping the demand for producing pharmacy leaders in mind, the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy sought to increase opportunities for student leadership development. The objective of this study is to discuss the design, implementation, and evaluation of an elective course developed to equip learners with leadership skills and enhance future leadership and advocacy roles within the profession, in a manner minimizing burnout for faculty and students.

Methods: A seven-week, one-credit, online leadership development elective was piloted. Using asynchronous and synchronous sessions, students interacted with alumni across the country and adjunct faculty leaders to deliver a leadership topic presentation and to strengthen critical thinking, conflict management, communication, and networking skills. Pre- and post-course surveys administered via Qualtrics during the Winter 2022 and 2023 semesters examined growth of leadership development and identified areas for course improvement.

Results: Fifty-two second- and third-year PharmD students enrolled in the course during the Winter 2022 (17) and 2023 (35) semesters. After course completion, 96% (50/52) of students indicated they enjoyed the virtual course design, and the variety of adjunct faculty instructors benefitted their learning. Students agreed the course provided them with fundamental tools that will help them in future leadership roles (94%, 49/52), contributed to their development as a PharmD student (92%, 48/52) and overall strengthened their confidence as a leader (92%, 48/52). Comparison of pre- and post-course survey results demonstrated improvement in motivation to take on leadership positions in the future, awareness of strengths and weaknesses, communication and teamwork, conflict management, networking, and navigating feedback and difficult conversations.

Conclusions: Implementation of a virtual elective course resulted in positive outcomes for students’ leadership development.