Background
Experiential Learning (EL) purposefully engages learners in practical experiences, critical reflection, and authentic assessment in order to develop and apply their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
EL is the "real-world" portion of the PharmD program wherein students complete courses in authentic practice settings for academic credit.
In 2017, the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition underwent curriculum revision, and to adhere to the CCAPP requirements, began to offer the PharmD as a professional degree in pharmacy. The PharmD curriculum has significantly increased Experiential Learning hours compared to the previous BSP program (from 920 to 1600 hours).
With this increase, our preceptors and sites are valued more than ever!
EL Course Overview
Each EL placement is part of a course for academic credit, meaning that students have to achieve a passing grade in order to merit those credits on their academic transcript and satisfy their degree requirements.
EL Roadmap
As students progress from Year 1 to Year 4 of the PharmD program and move toward entry to practice as a pharmacist, the complexity of practice experiences increases. IPPE and APPE rotations build on the foundational skills laid in classroom-based coursework, skills labs, and EL immersions.
Knowledge, skills, and attitudes are transferrable and buildable from community rotations to hospital rotations and vice versa. Students are encouraged to adopt and own a growth mindset as they progress through the program, seeing each new learning opportunity as a chance to improve and solidify previously acquired knowledge and skills and to seek out new knowledge and skills in novel situations.
EL Course Descriptions
Introductory Community Pharmacy Practice Experience (160 Hours)
Four Week Community Pharmacy Placement in Summer
This experiential learning rotation occurs after completion of first year and before second year in the program for a duration of 4 weeks (160 hours).
Students will begin to participate in direct patient care activities under the supervision of a qualified preceptor and will apply skills learned in Year 1 courses.
Experiential Learning 1
Seven Immersion Visits of 3 Hours Each Over Terms 1 & 2 (5 x community pharmacy, 2 x medSask), and Professional Practice Project participation
Students will observe and gain pharmacy exposure and experience in various health care settings and practice sites such as at a community pharmacy and medSask.
Service Learning (30+ Hours)
Self-directed Service Learning Over Terms 1 & 2
Students will complete service-learning in a health care setting or community-based organization to gain an appreciation of what care means to others. These interactions and activities will provide students with an opportunity to develop and practice skills including verbal and non-verbal communication, listening, empathy, and professionalism. Students will engage in written and verbal reflection of these experiences.
Introductory Hospital Pharmacy Practice Experience (160 Hours)
Four Week Hospital Pharmacy Placement in Summer
This experiential learning rotation occurs after completion of second year and before third year in the program for a duration of 4 weeks (160 hours).
Students participate in direct patient care activities under the supervision of a qualified preceptor in a hospital setting. Students will continue to apply and acquire new knowledge, professional, and patient care skills learned in previous practical experiences and courses in the program.
Experiential Learning 2
Six Immersion Visits of 3 Hours Each Focused on Hospital Pharmacy Over Terms 1 & 2
Building on knowledge and skills gained in first year courses and practical experiences, students will continue to acquire pharmacy experience and demonstrate skills in the hospital setting. Students will practice self-study and reflection of their experience.
Experiential Learning 3
Professional Practice Project Development Over Terms 1 & 2
Building on knowledge and skills gained in previous courses and practical experiences, students will continue to acquire applied pharmacy experiences by designing and delivering a health advocacy activity. Students will be under the direct supervision of a qualified preceptor. Students will practice self-study and reflection of their experience, showing increasing ability to think critically and set goals as they monitor their own performance and progress.
Advanced Practice Experience: Hospital (320 Hours)
Eight Week Hospital Rotation
Advanced Practice Experience: Community (320 Hours)
Eight Week Community Rotation
Advanced Practice Experience: Elective Direct Patient Care (320 Hours)
Eight Week Direct Patient Care Rotation
This advanced pharmacy practice experience may occur in a variety of selected sites that provide direct patient care services for a duration of 8 weeks (320 hours). Settings may include but are not limited to hospital, community, ambulatory care, primary care, and specialty sites; serving a variety of patients not limited to acute care, infectious diseases, psychiatric, long term care and specialty populations. Students will provide direct patient care and participate in a variety of direct patient care activities under supervision of a qualified preceptor. Students are expected to contribute meaningfully, productively, and safely to direct patient care.
Advanced Practice Experience: Elective Direct or Non-Direct Patient Care (320 Hours)
Eight Week Direct or Non-Direct Patient Care Rotation
This advanced pharmacy practice experience may occur in a variety of practice sites that provide a variety of professional activities. These include but are not limited to research, association, advocacy, administration, management, drug information, industry, or project based rotations under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. This rotation occurs for a duration of 8 weeks (320 hours) under supervision of a qualified preceptor. Students are expected to contribute meaningfully, productively, and safely to direct patient care.