(71) Integration of Pharmacy Law Concepts within an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience Curriculum

Objective : Pharmacy law is a required element of the Doctor of Pharmacy didactic curriculum to ensure graduating student pharmacists are practice-ready, but literature is lacking regarding how to best integrate law concepts within the experiential curriculum. The aim is to describe how one college of pharmacy integrated law concepts within its Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) curriculum.

Methods: The Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy Experiential Education Committee developed worksheets for students to complete during two required IPPEs to assess knowledge of pharmacy law. Students complete a three-week (120 hours) community IPPE after the first professional year and a two-week (80 hours) health-system IPPE after the second professional year. The community worksheet included 48 questions related to ten community pharmacy law concepts, and the health-system worksheet included 29 questions related to six health-system pharmacy law concepts. Students could utilize resources to complete each worksheet. Preceptors in each practice setting were consulted during the development process to ensure key concepts were included.

Results: During the summer of 2022, 126 students completed the community IPPE law worksheet with an average total score of 89.9%. Students performed highest on the pharmacy licenses and permits section (98.3% average) and lowest on the pharmacy interns/externs section (78.4% average). One hundred twenty-two students completed the health-system IPPE law worksheet with an average total score of 93%. Students performed highest on the hospital orders and automated dispensing cabinets section (96.7% average) and lowest on the medication safety section (87.4% average).

Conclusions: Most students demonstrated knowledge of key community and health-system pharmacy law concepts. Scores suggest additional opportunity for education exists regarding law concepts related to interns and externs.