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

NEW STUDENTS
Best Practice Guidelines

Background
Experience has shown that it is important to discuss professionalism with new student pharmcists. Student pharmacists enter Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Some have been instructed about appropriate professional behavior while many have not. Thus, colleges and schools need to develop strategies to prepare new students for future development and expected behaviors. These strategies should define specific aspects of professionalism and expectations for professional behavior. Among other things, colleges and schools must describe the unique characteristics of professionalism within the new students’ culture. Characteristics may vary from school to school, so each institution must first decide what is important to share with new students and then determine the best approach to communicate this critical information. Arriving students may have preconceived ideas about what professionalism is and what is expected of professional students based on their past experiences. They may find that some of their previous behaviors are not appropriate in a professional program. Colleges and schools must clearly articulate these important initial messages. Institutions should use faculty, administrators, and current students to reinforce these messages since new students are likely to imitate those individuals with professional experience. Schools should establish strategies unique to their environment to address these important concepts early in the student’s educational experience. When developing these strategies to address new students, schools should consider the following elements.

Planning Elements
Identify the best group of individuals to work on these initiatives within the institution. Some institutions use student leaders to speak to new students, while others use a combination of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Colleges and schools may appoint a professional development committee to review all aspects of the institution’s environment and curriculum to assure that professionalism concepts are inculcated into every aspect of the pharmacy school culture. If a formal orientation is planned, the orientation planning committee (if relevant) must be involved. Unfortunately, some schools just use the lecture approach where the Dean addresses the new students and “tells like it is” without any other discussion. Experience has shown that the most effective planning requires both current students and faculty to work together. It is important to build on past experiences; or the experiences of other schools. Evaluate strategies and document past experiences for future planning.

Timelines
Experience has shown that efficient planning relies on effective timing. If a fall orientation session is scheduled, then the planning group needs to start in late May before the start of the summer break. In addition, planning must continue during the summer. The planning group must build on previous experiences and adjust timelines accordingly.

Promotion
Typically, new students are overwhelmed with information and activities during their first months on campus. They must find somewhere to live, acquaint themselves with new academic courses, and adjust their personal lives. The planning group must “promote” professional activities appropriately to capture the attention of new students during this hectic time. Faculty, current students, and administrators are also busy. The planning group must work diligently to achieve cooperation from faculty, administrators, and current students. The planning group needs to start initial promotion at least 3 months in advance of each activity with intense promotion 6-weeks out and final promotion 1 week prior to the event.

Evaluation
Colleges and schools should assess the effectiveness the professionalism programs and logistical planning process of each activity for new students. It is critical to future development that planning groups evaluate the programs from the perspective of new students, current students, and faculty participants and to share the results with future program planners.

Student Orientation
Professionalism Orientation Booklet
Peer Mentoring Programs
Introduction to Student Pharmacy Organizations
White Coat Ceremonies
Public Affirmation of Professionalism
Service Projects in Community
Charity Fundraisers
Outside Speakers to Reinforce Messages
Introductory Pharmacy Courses
Student Portfolio Process
Integration into Residence Life Programs
Issues for 0-6 Programs
Issues for Distance Learning Programs
Issues for Religious-Affiliated Programs
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