Pharmacy Professionalism Toolkit for Students and Faculty Provided by the APhA-ASP/AACP Committee on Student Professionalism

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Best Practice Guidelines

Background
Extracurricular activities help build professional responsibility and leadership skills through active involvement in professional organizations, patient advocacy programs, and community service. Advocating for appropriate legislation and regulations that ensure quality health care, addressing problematic workplace issues, and creating new practice models that improve patient outcomes are examples of ways students can impact current professional challenges. Core values, attitudes, and behaviors that embody professionalism, such as respect and compassion for others, integrity, work ethic, accountability, leadership, working well with others, altruism, and pride in the profession are often strengthened by participation in extracurricular activities.

Schools should create a learning environment that values student involvement and fosters the development of desired professional behaviors. Extracurricular activities, such as service learning and patient-care projects, can help make learning more meaningful by linking theory to practice. Student pharmacists should be aware that as healthcare providers they must demonstrate professional competence, provide compassionate healthcare, place the needs of their patients above their own, solve complex problems, work effectively on health teams, and adapt successfully to change. They may be more likely to make informed and responsible ethical decisions if they are aware of professional norms, laws, and ethical principles. Attention should also be directed at reducing negative influences (at both the school and practice setting) that undermine student professionalism. Honor or conduct codes should include standards related to both academic and professional integrity with published processes in place to address unprofessional behaviors.

Schools should offer a variety of professionalism activities throughout the educational continuum. Many schools plan white coat ceremonies for their students as part of the orientation process. Schools may also host a program at the end of the 2nd or 3rd year that allow students to reaffirm their professionalism vows and discuss challenges they have faced since entering pharmacy school. The Oath of the Pharmacist is often recited at graduation ceremonies to remind students of their responsibility to serve others, with “dignity, integrity, and honor.”

Serving on faculty-student school committees provides students an opportunity to contribute to the quality improvement of their program. Participating in professional organizations at a local, regional, or national level not only helps students improve leadership and team building skills, but also provides the opportunity for them to truly “make a difference” in their profession.

Planning Elements
Advanced planning is key to a successful event. If faculty and practitioner participation is desired, it is important that they are informed of project dates well in advance of the planned activity. Besides increasing faculty, student, and practitioner participation in student events, early planning helps schools with numerous student organizations prevent scheduling conflicts. This allows students the flexibility to participate in several different organizational’ activities.

As the role of the pharmacist continues to evolve, extracurricular activities should familiarize students to these changing roles. Students may enter pharmacy programs unaware of the full range of practice opportunities available in their state. Events should allow students to hone skills in counseling, health screenings, immunizations, and so forth. Several schools have created an administrative position in the Dean’s Office that oversees the design and assessment of student professional development initiatives.

Timelines
Advance notice of activities is an important planning element. When possible, student organizations and committees should provide a schedule of events at the beginning of each school term/year to promote better attendance. Notifying students of even tentative activity dates is helpful in mapping a general schedule. Since this issue presents a challenge each year, student leaders should build on past experiences to determine the most successful strategy.

Promotion
Early planning and scheduling is beneficial for the planning committee as well. The earlier a date is set, the sooner important planning elements (e.g., promotional and recruitment activities) can be initiated. Notifying the faculty in the previous quarter of upcoming plans for an important event might allow for adjustments in the exam schedule if a conflict occurs.

Evaluation
Evaluation of the activity can benefit that activity in subsequent years. It is especially important to include an assessment of what aspects of the event went well and what needs improvement. This document can serve as a reference to troubleshoot problems in future events.

Reference
Slack and Murphy “Faculty Influence and other Factors Association with Student Membership in Professional Organizations” AJPE, 59, 125-130(1995).

Professionalism Scholarship and Awards
Professional Committees
Patient Care Projects
Poster Presentations
Patient Counseling Activities/Competitions
Developing a Portfolio
Honor Codes
Broadening the Scope of Practice
Leadership Conferences
Mentor Programs
Interprofessional Activities
Etiquette Dinner
Monthly Column on Professionalism
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