Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 Nov 23:8745. doi: 10.5688/ajpe8745. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Objective To assess how U.S. schools and colleges of pharmacy curriculum committees’ responsibilities, structure, functions, charges, and activities have evolved since 2011.Methods A total of 133 fully-accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy were included in the survey. Data collection occurred between March and September 2020, and survey questions pertained to the academic year (19-20). Data were collected on committee membership, leadership, functions, and charges. New questions explored ties to assessment and Standards 2016. Analysis included descriptive statistics and comparisons to the 2011 survey results.Results Response rate was 80%; one partial response was excluded from analysis. Most (93%) schools and colleges rely on a curriculum committee to provide curriculum oversight. Faculty and students remain the most frequent types of members but there has been an increase in the number of committees with members from other areas including experiential programs, staff, directors, librarians, and pharmacy residents. Committee charges have increased beyond the traditional curriculum planning, mapping, and review to include newer tasks (eg, EPAs, IPEs, PPCP, co-curriculum, certificates). Primary responsibility for various assessment activities is shared by both committees in 1/3 of the institutions.Conclusion. Curriculum committees remain a key part of pharmacy education but continue to evolve to meet their responsibility for new and increasing numbers of charges and finding ways to communicate and share duties with their assessment counterparts. Having clear guidance for the CC and reducing frequency of scheduled work to ensure the CC will be able to address new challenges as they emerge are recommended.
PMID:34815213 | DOI:10.5688/ajpe8745
