Development of a Holistic Assessment Plan to Evaluate a Four-Semester Laboratory Course Series

Objective. To implement a holistic assessment plan to evaluate the impact of a four-semester laboratory course series entitled Integrated Pharmacotherapy Skills on students' readiness to begin advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) following separation of the laboratory component from the Pharmacotherapy lecture component. Design. Faculty prospectively selected and employed a variety of course assessment methods including student self- and preceptor evaluation during APPEs, course evaluations, and a student confidence survey to evaluate student readiness for APPEs and ensure a quality learning experience for students. Assessment. APPE students' self-perceived confidence to perform skills increased after completion of the redesigned curriculum and after experiencing two APPE rotations. APPE preceptors did not report a change in student performance. Results from course evaluations suggest that separating the laboratory course from the lecture course created a positive learning experience for students. Conclusion. Students completing the new laboratory curriculum were equally prepared to begin APPE rotations as students who had completed the old curriculum. A similar multidimensional, holistic assessment plan could be used at other institutions to evaluate skills-based courses as part of continuous quality improvement.