(320) Programmatic Integration of Professional Identity Formation (PIF) theories and strategies in a PharmD Curriculum

Objective : To describe the process by which a school of pharmacy garnered support and engaged faculty in the integration of PIF in the PharmD curriculum and co-curriculum.

Methods: The recent interest in PIF by the academy which was further emphasized by the 2022 AACP interim meeting resulted in an interest in exploring PIF within the Touro College of Pharmacy. A three phased implementation approach was initiated. Phase I involved holding a retreat to engage, heighten PIF knowledge and secure buy in from the faculty on the importance of intentional programmatic integration of PIF. During the retreat, which was Phase I, the facilitator, an expert in PIF, introduced various theories around PIF and engaged faculty to start a brainstorming process on potential relevant PIF initiatives that the College could adopt. Phase II involved the formation of a task force to evaluate the feasibility of the strategies put forth during the retreat and develop a plan of implementation. Phase III is ongoing and involves programmatic PIF Co-curricular and Curricular Initiatives implementation and evaluation.

Results: Co-curricular and Curricular Initiatives to spiral opportunities for intentional PIF development across the 4 years of the program, were initiated with a phased target implementation starting Fall 2023.

Conclusions: Intentional development of professional identity is vital in cementing the internalization of the pharmacy profession’s core values and belief in student pharmacists. Programmatic integration of PIF requires faculty training; buy-in, support and commitment from college-wide stakeholders for resources and implementation.