What Philosophy Guides Our Curriculum?
The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy designed the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum to educate
students on a holistic, individualized and equitable approach to healthcare provision,
blending evidence-based and patient-centered considerations for medication therapy
management.
We recognize interprofessional collaboration as an integral part of upholding high
standards of patient care. Meaningful connections between faculty, students and staff
in the School of Pharmacy facilitate personal and professional growth and development
to create positive change in the community and profession of pharmacy.
Our Values
Our Values
As faculty, students and staff we value:
Teamwork
The School of Pharmacy develops teamwork skills through intentional integration of
team activities in pharmacy care labs and other foundational courses throughout their
didactic education. Students also work with students from other health professions
outside the School of Pharmacy to develop interprofessional skills. Faculty embrace
teamwork and collegial relationships with one another in an effort to integrate the
disciplines of the foundational sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and practice.
Leadership
Leadership is an important professional skill. Students are trained in conflict resolution,
building effective teams and managing team dynamics. The School of Pharmacy encourages
membership in professional organizations. Faculty lead by example, serving in leadership
roles in diverse state and national professional pharmacy organizations.
Professionalism
Members of the School of Pharmacy hold ourselves and others to high professional standards.
We model and instill these attitudes and behaviors throughout our students’ pharmacy
education in and out of the classroom.
Community Service and Engagement
The strength of our community is directly linked to the strength of our school and
profession. Likewise, our service to the community directly impacts its citizens.
We respect and promote this mutually beneficial relationship through the involvement
of faculty, students and staff in community service.
Meaningful Relationships Between Students and Faculty
Students work directly with faculty as colleagues on experiential rotations. We intentionally
design co-curricular activities to fortify skills students learn in the classroom.
In the didactic setting, students and faculty form close professional bonds facilitated
by small class size. In the research setting, faculty mentor students directly in
the discovery of knowledge. We maintain a student-centered culture, with mentorship
and accessibility of faculty as high priorities.
Meaningful Relationships Between the School and the Workforce
Students work directly with faculty as colleagues on experiential rotations. We intentionally
design co-curricular activities to fortify skills students learn in the classroom.
In the didactic setting, students and faculty form close professional bonds facilitated
by small class size. In the research setting, faculty mentor students directly in
the discovery of knowledge. We maintain a student-centered culture, with mentorship
and accessibility of faculty as high priorities.
The Scientific Foundation of Medications
Individualized therapeutic recommendations require application of knowledge in the
foundational sciences. In recognition of this, we emphasize pharmacodynamics, physiology
and pathophysiology as components to rational decision-making, particularly when clinical
guidelines are not applicable to a specific patient scenario. Moreover, pharmacists
serve as the most accessible healthcare providers and have a duty to educate the public
on the scientific basis of vaccines and medications.
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions
Information mastery is threaded throughout our curriculum. Our faculty promote critical
evaluation of clinical trial methodology and statistical rigor and an objective approach
to choosing therapy. We equip our students to interpret clinical guidelines in a race-conscious
manner.
Critical Thinking
Optimal therapeutic recommendations require integration of several factors, including
foundational sciences, clinical sciences and social and behavioral aspects. We educate
students to formulate therapeutic decisions, employing critical thinking using these
factors.
Technology
Technology for teaching and learning is continuously evolving. The School of Pharmacy
fully embraces tools for optimizing content delivery and assessment and strategically
integrates these tools into the curriculum. Likewise, through the required curriculum,
we intentionally introduce students to rapidly evolving technology in healthcare.
Patient Individuality and Autonomy
Recognizing that patients bear cultural, religious and socioeconomic differences,
we train students to respect and integrate patient-centered factors into their therapeutic
recommendations.
Wellness
Mental and physical well-being are not merely direct determinants of our capacity
to teach and learn, but are fundamental goals in and of themselves. We value the wellness
of each student, staff and faculty member of the School of Pharmacy.
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