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

STUDENT RECRUITMENT
Best Practice Guidelines

Background
Pharmaceutical care, as described by Hepler and Strand, promotes a “covenantal and caring relationship with patients.” To establish and foster successful patient relationships, a pharmacist must not only exercise sound professional judgment, but also demonstrate personal attributes such as integrity, accountability, and compassion. Prospective student pharmacists should become familiar with the unique roles and responsibilities of a pharmacist as early as possible. It is important to recruit students who embrace the pharmaceutical care philosophy and are willing to uphold the profession’s high standards of moral and ethical conduct. Students must also realize that professional development is an ongoing process and willingly engage in activities that will enhance their practice skills throughout their career. Practitioners, faculty members, current students, and mentors may influence an applicant’s initial perception of the profession. It is therefore important that all contribute to enhancing (rather than undermining) an applicant’s understanding of professionalism and the core values fundamental to our profession.

Recruitment activities offer a wide variety of opportunities to introduce professionalism. Many schools have hired individuals whose primary responsibility is to plan and oversee recruitment initiatives. Application materials, including information on school websites, should contain information on pharmacy’s evolving role in health care and the professional attributes that support patient-centered care. The Oath of the Pharmacist, the Pledge to Professionalism, the Pharmacist’s Code of Ethics, and the school’s internal documents on professional behavior are examples of references that should be made available to prospective students. High school counselors and pre-pharmacy advisors should be knowledgeable about the academic and personal qualities that enhance future success. Presentations at career fairs, pre-pharmacy club meetings and other similar forums could include discussions on pharmaceutical care and the pharmacist’s integral role on the healthcare team.

Planning Elements
Each school must identify the best individuals to work on these initiatives. Since professionalism issues can arise in many ways and in different situations, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure the overall message is consistent with the college or school’s program expectations. Although the main introduction to professionalism is typically given prior to the start of the first professional year, it is important to discuss professionalism earlier to increase awareness of this issue.

Students, faculty, staff, and practitioners are often invited to speak at area high schools, community colleges, and universities. Practitioners and student pharmacists delivering presentations at their former high schools and pre-pharmacy institutions have been particularly well-received. Creating written materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, brochures, and poster boards should involve collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and practitioners. Presenters should be familiar with opportunities in the different areas of pharmacy (community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, academia, etc.) to ensure student interest areas are addressed. Discussion of the Code of Ethics, the Oath of the Pharmacist, and the Pledge to Professionalism, as well as a discussion of ethical issues, will help reinforce the high value the school places on professionalism.

A PowerPoint template could be created for presentations or discussions with prospective students. This would ensure that an accurate and consistent message is delivered regardless of the presenter. Documenting what went well and what needs improvement will help subsequent presenters improve this activity in the future.

Timelines
Recruitment opportunities present themselves throughout the year. Students may request applications or visit the advising office at any time during the year. Scheduling visits with other schools and groups is not always feasible unless dates are set well in advance. For this reason, individual programs should create timelines that best fit their schedules. However, since the topic of professionalism is quite broad, adequate preparation is necessary. Pharmacy programs should enlist current students to participate in recruitment activities before they leave campus at the end of the school year. This will allow sufficient time to plan in the summer months when students may have more free time.

Promotion
In order for recruitment materials to be available by the start of the school year, promotion for committee chairs and members should occur towards the end of the preceding school year. Faculty participation should also be sought before the summer session begins.

Evaluation
Documentation of applicant responses regarding their understanding of professionalism will help in the evaluation of these initiatives.

Pre-Pharmacy Organizations
Outreach Programs-Career Fairs
Outreach Programs—Mentoring and Shadowing
Educating the Public on the Pharmacist’s Role in Health Care
Professionalism Prerequisite
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