Required Courses
PhPr 7106 Intro to Patient-Centered Communication
This P1 course will focus on patient-centered communication. It is heavily grounded in evidence-based motivational interviewing principles to encourage treatment adherence in a health care setting. This is a one credit hour course.
PhPr 7102 US Health Care System for Pharmacists
The objective of this course is to equip pharmacy students with a knowledge base in the areas of pharmacy marketing and health economics which will permit them to make good management decisions when providing pharmaceutical products and services for patients and other consumers. Lecture two hours per week.
PhSc 7101 Anatomy/Physiology/Pathology
This course is a study of the cellular and multicellular functions of human tissues, organs, and systems, and pathophysiology of the systems. Topics covered include the physiology of nerve and muscle, nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal function, as well as endocrine and GI systems. Lecture five hours per week.
PhSc 7104 Pharmaceutics I
A study of the physicochemical aspects of liquid dosage forms, both aqueous and non-aqueous, with emphasis on the technology and pharmaceutical rationale fundamental to their design and development. Lecture three to four hours per week, and recitation three hours per week half of the semester.
PhSc 7102 Biological and Cellular Chemistry
Topics covered in this course include the biological, chemical and cellular roles of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, hormones, enzymes and vitamins. In addition, the chemical and cellular basis of digestion, intermediary metabolism, biological oxidation and metabolic antagonism are discussed. Lecture four hours per week.
PhPr 7103 Career Orientation & Communications
A course to acquaint the beginning pharmacy student with the multiple aspects of the profession of pharmacy, including discussions of the different environments of pharmacy practice and the inter- and intra-professional relationships of health care providers. The course will have a focused area of study around professional communications. Lecture two hours per week.
PhPr 7101 Pharmaceutical Calculations
This course is a study of the system of weights, measures and mathematical expertise requisite to the compounding, dispensing, and utilization of drugs. Typical situational problems are used for practice in the application of this knowledge to prescription and medication procedures. Lecture two hours per week.
PhPr 7107 Drug Information
This course will introduce the P1 student to the top 200 drugs available in the U.S. and to the drug and medical literature that is available at UAMS. The instructors will emphasize how to locate, evaluate and communicate medical and drug information. The course will involve didactic lectures and assignments that will require the student to utilize the information resources available on the UAMS Library website, the UAMS Intranet and the Internet. This is a two credit hour course.
PhSc 7105 Pharmaceutics II
This course is a continuation of the study of dosage forms and pharmaceutical products with emphasis on solid and semi-solid systems. Dispensing techniques, physical and chemical incompatibilities, drug product evaluation, and aspects of drug product stability are studied in the laboratory. Lecture three hours per week, and laboratory three hours per week.
PhSc 7103 Principles of Drug Actions
This course covers the principles of drug actions from both the pharmacological and medicinal chemical perspective. General principles of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion as well as pharmacodynamic principles governing dose-response relationships are covered. Subsequently, the focus shifts to specific agents including local anesthetics, neuromuscular blockers and drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system. Lecture five hours per week.
PhPr 7104 Nuclear Pharmacy
This course is an introduction to the basic aspects of nuclear pharmacy. Topics include the characterization, properties and detection of radioactivity, radiation biology, radiation protection elements of nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals. Lecture one hour per week.
PhSc 7203 Medicinal Chemistry/Natural Products
This course is a study of the relationship between the physicochemical properties of synthetic and naturally derived drugs and their stability, absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and pharmacological mechanism of action. Lecture four hours per week.
PhSc 7201 Pharmacology I
The effects, biological mechanisms, therapeutic indications, interactions and toxicities of drugs are studied. Emphasis is placed on pharmacological principles that promote the understanding and rational approach to therapeutics. Lecture four hours per week.
PhSc 7205 Basic Pharmacokinetics
This course presents the basic concepts and principles of pharmacokinetics. The necessary mathematical expressions needed to characterize the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs will be discussed with respect to routes of administration. Parameters that influence pharmacokinetic and therapeutic outcomes of the most common drug regimens will be emphasized. Additionally, the principles of therapeutic drug monitoring and dosing will be explained. Lecture three hours per week.
PhPr 7201 Principles of Pharmacy Practice
Emphasis is placed on the role of the pharmacist in medication dispensing and patient care. Pharmacist responsibilities involving patient profiles, medication monitoring, drug product selection and generic substitution are discussed. The importance of patient counseling is stressed. Emphasis is also placed on the Top 200 Drugs, compliance with Board of Pharmacy Regulations, labeling/auxiliary labeling of prescriptions, technical practice aspects and knowledge of current dosage delivery systems. This course will provide students with information and skills in the areas of IV therapy and physical assessment. Students will demonstrate competency in aseptic techniques, IV admixtures, sterile products, drug delivery systems, and drug therapy monitoring. Lecture three hours per week, and laboratory three hours per week.
PhSc 7204 Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
This course covers fundamental molecular biology and extends this knowledge to provide the student a basic understanding of human genetics, biotechnology, and genetic and immunologic engineering. Emphasis will be placed on clinical applications and biotechnology-based drugs and therapies. This is a three credit hour course.
PhSc 7202 Pharmacology II
This course is a continuation of PhSc 7201. This is a four credit hour course.
PhPr 7204 Self-Care Therapeutics
This course will prepare students to assess patients and make recommendations for nonprescription medicines. Nonprescription medicines are widely used, therefore it is essential that students have a comprehensive understanding to interact appropriately with patients concerning the proper use of these medications. This is a two credit hour course.
PhSc 7206 Clinical Pharmacokinetics
This course is designed to acquaint pharmacy students with the clinical application of pharmacokinetic principles. The course will provide a framework to approach clinically based pharmacokinetic dilemmas such as disease-drug and drug-drug interactions. In addition, practical mathematical applications will be taught that will allow dosing recommendations for patients on anticonvulsants, aminoglycosides, and vancomycin. Lecture three hours per week.
PhPr 7203 Therapeutics I
Utilizing a pathophysiological approach, the therapeutics curriculum focuses on the structural and functional consequences of disease on various organ systems in the body. Each block of instruction begins with a discussion of the nature and causes of disease in an organ system. This is expanded through a discussion of the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the major disease states of that organ system. Emphasis is placed on the considerations for the drug therapy used, therapeutic goals, plans of treatment, dosage regimens, therapeutic alternatives and therapeutic endpoints. The goal of the course is to enable the student to assist in the development of the safest and most rational plan of drug therapy for a given patient. This is a five credit hour course that includes recitation.
PhPr 7302 Therapeutics II
This course is a continuation of PhPr 7203, Therapeutics I. This is a five credit hour course that includes recitation.
PhPr 7301 Pharmacy Law & Ethics
This course will provide students with information and skills in the areas of communication and pharmacy law. Students will be provided resources aimed at improving and utilizing communication skills in diverse pharmacy practice settings. The course will also cover the study of law, regulations and court decisions on federal, state, and local levels and the ethical considerations which control and influence pharmacy practice. Professional ethics will be covered in this course. Lecture two hours per week.
PhSc 7302 Pharmacognosy and Complementary & Alternative Medicine
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the composition, beneficial properties, and potential negative effects of the most commonly used herbal products and dietary supplements used in recent years. Lecture two hours per week.
PhPr 7303 Evidence-Based Medicine, Biostatistics, & Pharmacoeconomics
This core course will teach the student to formulate a focused clinical question, to improve the student’s literature critical appraisal skills, to determine the appropriateness of various biostatistical analyses, and to apply pharmacoeconomic techniques to inform drug product selections. The course will integrate statistical analysis and study design concepts into practical applications. This is a three credit hour course.
PhPr 7304 Therapeutics III
This course is a continuation of PhPr 7302, Therapeutics II. This is a five credit hour course.
PhPr 7306 Pharmacy Management
Course is designed to teach students the requisite skills needed to perform managerial functions in a community and institutional pharmacy. Includes planning and integrating professional services, budgeting, inventory control, and human resource management topics. This is a three credit hour course.
PhPr 7308 Pharmacy Practice Assessment & Skills
The course focuses on the use of physical assessment and interviewing skills necessary to monitor drug therapy and assess complaints found in the delivery of pharmaceutical care. Application of these concepts is reinforced in the lab setting. Students utilize case studies to solidify assessment skills necessary for pharmacy practice. Lecture equivalents of 2 hours per week and instructional lab two hours per week.
PhSc 7301 Chemical Addiction
This course deals with the development, progression, symptomology, treatment and recovery aspects of addictive diseases. Although the model most heavily emphasized is alcoholism, addiction aspects of all drugs/chemicals are presented. Students attend meetings of various self-help groups as well as present talks to public school children. Lecture two hours per week.
Experiential Coursework
Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences
PhPr 7105 Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (120 hours)
This course is will provide structured practical experience in community pharmacy practice. Students are assigned a 2 ½ week experience at the end of the P1 Spring semester in May or June. Through utilization of competency-based objectives, students gain a greater appreciation for the profession of pharmacy and develop professional attitudes, judgment and technical skills needed to function in the community setting. Students observe/discuss the role of the community pharmacist and actively participate in daily operations that focus on the distributive aspects of practice. To enter this course, a student must be eligible for advancement to the P2 year. This is a three credit hour, pass/fail, course.
PhPr 7202 Institutional – Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (160 hours)
This course will provide a structured practical professional experience in institutional pharmacy practice. Students are assigned a four week practice experience at the end of the spring semester (May, June, July). Through utilization of competency-based objectives, students gain a greater appreciation for the profession of pharmacy and develop professional attitudes, judgment and technical skills needed to function in the institutional setting. Students observe/discuss the role of the health-system pharmacist and actively participate in daily operations that focus on the distributive aspects of practice. To enter this course, a student must be eligible for advancement to the P3 year. This is a four credit hour, pass/fail course.
PhPr 7307 3rd Professional Year Longitudinal Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (40 hours)
The introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) of the third professional year is a longitudinal, self-directed experience designed to provide multiple opportunities to perform patient-centered care activities in a variety of settings. Each student is responsible for accumulating 40 hours of IPPE over approximately one year (April of P2 Spring through April of P3 Spring) excluding the month during the assigned P2 Institutional IPPE. The P3 IPPE provides opportunity for students to explore / develop personal interests as well as broaden their perspective of pharmacy practice. Longitudinal exposures should expand on the experience gained in the previously completed Community and Institutional IPPEs. Activities appropriate for P-3 IPPE hours may include but are not limited to: shadowing of pharmacy practitioners; providing patient services and/or education at health fairs or screenings; “brown bag” medication reviews; volunteering at free medical clinics; participating in medical mission trips; student pharmacy exchange programs; or other pharmacy-based activities (obtain prior approval from course coordinator).
Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences
PhPr 7411 Experience – Direct Patient Care – Acute Care
This experience allows students to apply didactic knowledge to direct patient care activities. Students will concentrate on patient specific pharmacotherapy, evidence based medicine, and effective communication with patients and healthcare professionals. Students will apply their knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics to optimize patient care in a hospital setting.
PhPr 7412 Experience – Direct Patient Care – Ambulatory Care
This experience allows students to apply didactic knowledge to direct patient care activities. Students will have the opportunity to provide clinical pharmacy services in an outpatient setting. Students will concentrate on patient specific pharmacotherapy, evidence based medicine, and effective communications with patients and healthcare professionals .
PhPr 7413 Experience – Direct Patient Care – Selective
This experience allows students to apply didactic knowledge to direct patient care activities in either Acute Care or Ambulatory Care.
PhPr 7414 Experience – Direct Patient Care – Community
This experience allows students to apply didactic knowledge to direct patient care activities. Students will have the opportunity to provide clinical pharmacy services utilizing pharmacotherapy, evidence based medicine, and physical assessment in a community/retail setting. This experience will focus on disease state management, medication therapy management, non-prescription medications, and effective communication skills.
PhPr 7415 Experience – Indirect Patient Care – Community Management
This experience teaches effective management skills to students through direct skill training and mentoring. This experience occurs in a community/retail setting and concentrates on marketing, operations, resource, and financial management, as well as effective communication skills.
PhPr 7416 Experience – Indirect Patient Care – Health-System Management
This experience teaches effective management skills to students through direct skill training and mentoring. This experience occurs in a hospital or institutional setting and concentrates on resource management, drug distribution, regulatory bodies, and communication with patients and healthcare professionals.
PhPr 7417 Experience – Specialty Pharmacy Practice
These experiences allow students the opportunity to practice pharmacy in a variety of specialty settings. Students can focus on specific areas of interest including nuclear pharmacy, compounding, regulatory, professional associations, industry, etc.
Elective Courses
PhSc 7351 Toxicology
This course deals with the basic concepts of toxicology with an emphasis placed on prevention of exposure, exposure and the subsequent management of exposure of commonly found medicines, chemicals, plants and animals. Parameters that influence the toxicokinetics of these agents are emphasized. 2 credit hours
University of Utah School on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies
Upon receipt of an official transcript showing completion of the above program, a student may receive two hours of elective credit.
PhPr 7351 Primary Care Pharmacotherapy
This is an interprofessional elective course offered to third year pharmacy and fourth year medical students. The course is designed to allow students to hone the principles of rational medication use, evaluation, and monitoring in the primary care environment. Topics are presented in a disease-state focused discussion format. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7151 Death and Dying
Interdisciplinary course preparing student to manage end-of-life care, particularly through (1) exploring personal issues related to mortality; (2) learning roles of participants in such care; (3) developing communication skills needed for care giving; (4) examining ethical issues related to death; and (5) examining economic and social aspects of funeral practices. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7352 Diabetes Management
This course will provide a multidisciplinary foundation in the principles of comprehensive diabetes management. The student will develop their knowledge and ability to assess, manage, and educate patients with diabetes. The course, developed under the guidance of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy faculty members, is internet-based and requires the student to be self-directed in learning. There are 5 in-person sessions with the remainder independent study online. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7353 Geriatric Therapeutics
The course will provide a concentrated introduction to the management of common geriatric pathologies. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7355 Drug Induced Disease
This course explores the most appropriate interventions for prevention, detection and management of drug induced diseases. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7358 Problem Based Learning in Pediatric Therapeutics
This PBL course will use small groups to answer different therapeutic dilemmas occurring from infancy to adolescence. Each team will be charged with raising their child throughout the semester while encountering common pediatric problems that need therapeutic intervention. 2 credit hours.
PhPr 7152 Radiopharmacy
Explores the chemical, physical, and biological properties of radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine. Production, quality control, and regulations of imaging agents will be examined. Emphasis will be placed on clinical applications of radiopharmaceuticals. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7153 Radiation Biology
Introduction to the interactions of radiation and biological systems, including chronic and delayed effects through physical and chemical changes from radiation. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7154 Nuclear Instrumentation
Operational principles of radiation detection equipment to include statistical application and quality control. 2 credit hours.
PhPr 7155 Nuclear Physics
Concepts and physical properties governing the atom to include systems and units of measure, atomic and nuclear structure, and particularate and electromagnetic radiation. 3 credit hours
PhPr 7156 Health Physics
A review of the legal, biological and administrative aspects of radiation protection in nuclear medicine. Emphasis on practical means of minimizing radiation exposure to the patient, staff and general public. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7360 Personal Finance
Provides future pharmacists the informational and decision-making tools needed for planning and implementing a successful personal financial plan. Topics include: Investing Principles, Retirement Planning, Income Taxes, Wealth Accumulation, Personal Insurance and Buying/Selling/Financing a House. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7157 Entrepreneurship
This course is designed to enhance a student’s knowledge in leadership, business, and financial skills in pharmacy practice while learning if he/she possesses an entrepreneurial spirit. The goal of the course is to provide students with ‘hands-on’ experience in starting a business or new service, owing and running your own business, and general management and leaderships skills. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7361 Problem Based Learning in Therapeutics – Critical Care
This elective utilizes a simulated case management format with emphasis on evaluating patient and agent variables and formulating appropriate therapeutic decisions. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7350 Advanced Compounding
An elective advanced compounding course for 3rd year pharmacy students who would like further instruction in preparing dosage forms used in contemporary pharmaceutical compound. The course will include pre-readings and assignments along with a didactic and laboratory session. This course is sometimes offered in a compressed format in May to provide availability for students assigned to the NW campus. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7354 Treatment Adherence
This course will focus on the role of the pharmacist in promoting treatment adherence in a variety of settings and disease states. Students will learn the principles of motivational interviewing, reasons for and consequences of non-adherence, tools to support adherence efforts, and related medical literature. Students will have the opportunity to apply these skills in a clinic setting. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7356 Mental Health Movies and Therapeutics
This elective will provide an introductory course which will facilitate better understanding of mental health disorders. It will provide students an opportunity to apply clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes to the care of patients with mental health disorders. This elective will expose students to socioeconomic concerns facing patients with mental health disorders, including substance abuse and social distancing of mental health. Students will learn from lectures, discussions, patient simulation and interviews, movies and/or movie clips. Students will have 1-2 project(s) during the semester which will focus on mental health concerns. 2 credit hours
PhPr 7450 Preparation for Postgraduate Residency Training (PGRT)
This course is designed to provide students with a critical appraisal of the PGRT landscape and prepares the student to navigate the process of becoming a competitive applicant, prepare a PGRT application, and interview successfully. This course is designed to facilitate the development of a more competitive PGRT candidate. 2 credit hours
PHPR 7363 Supportive Care in Oncology (Dayer)
This elective is an introduction to supportive care in oncology and the pharmacotherapeutic management of these patients. The main emphasis is self-directed student learning with faculty interaction as a facilitator utilizing a combination of didactic lecture, group discussion, patient simulation, student presentation and independent study.
PHPR 7362 Pharmacy Practice – Infectious Disease (Dr. Dickey)
This elective will provide students with opportunities for application of infectious disease principles. The course will consist primarily of team based learning facilitated by the course coordinator. There will be three core components. The first will consist of student led discussions on microorganisms, antimicrobial drug classes, and stewardship concepts. The next section will include literature reviews and debates regarding therapeutic management of various infectious diseases. In the final component, student groups will be presented with patient cases. Each group will determine a diagnosis and treatment plan that will be discussed with the class.
Special Problems Electives
PhPr 7150 Special Problems in Clinical Practice (P1, P2, & P3)
PhSc 7150 Special Problems in Pharmaceutics (P1, P2, & P3)
PhPr 7364 Special Problems in Pharm Prac Academic Administration (P1, P2, & P3)
LR-Academic Pharmacy (Dr. Neill) – This elective will provide the student with exposure to issues facing academic pharmacy. The student will meet frequently with the Dean and Associate Dean(s) and will assist with two to three projects during the semester that focus on issues that surface in the Dean’s office. The student will assist with data collection and analysis.
NW-Academic Pharmacy (Dr. Warmack) – This elective will provide the student with exposure to issues facing academic pharmacy. The student will meet frequently with the Associate Dean and will assist with projects during the semester that focus on issues that surface on the NW campus. The student will assist with data collection and analysis.
LR-Academic Pharmacy – Interprofessional Education (Dr. Neill) – This elective will provide the student with exposure to issues facing interprofessional education curriculum development from a campus perspective. The student will meet frequently with administrators of the Office of Interprofessional Education and will assist with two to three projects during the semester that focus on issues that surface in this office. The student will assist with data collection and analysis and content development.
LR-Academic Pharmacy – Experiential Education Focus (Dr. Heldenbrand) – This elective will provide the student with exposure to issues facing experiential education within the pharmacy curriculum. The student will meet frequently with administrators of the Office of Experiential Education and will assist with two to three projects during the semester that focus on issues that surface in this office. The student will assist with data collection and analysis.
LR-Research (Dr. Light) – this course will involve learning the techniques and approaches that underscore hypothesis-driven basic neuroscience research. The primary focus is the mechanisms of damage produced by ethyl alcohol on the development of neural structures and networks in the rat cerebellum. This animal model is reflective of damage induced by alcohol use in the third trimester of human pregnancy. The student will learn the techniques of tissue fixation, processing for immunofluorescence detection, microscopic analysis, and quantitation of neuronal development. If the student is interested they may also participate in the handling of experimental animals and the administration of ethanol or other drugs. In addition, behavioral techniques that demonstrate the developmental defect will also be learned.
LR-Arkansas Pharmacy Support Group (ARPSG) (Dr. Light) – the ARPSG is a group of pharmacists, technicians, and interns who have experienced problems with addiction disease and have entered into the group for monitoring and advocacy for the continuation of their licensure status. The student will learn about the ARPSG and assist in the development of data archiving procedures to allow research investigations into various aspects of the program.
LR – Educational Research (Dr. Castleberry) – This elective will involve learning the techniques and approaches of educational research. The student will participate in ongoing assessment and evaluation of curricular effectiveness using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Opportunities for presentations and publications are available.
LR-Pharmacy Practice – 12th Street HWC (Dr. White) – Students enrolled in this elective will assist in the development of the UAMS 12th Street Health and Wellness Center by collecting, organizing, and managing health screening data in an electronic database, benchmarking health data with national guidelines and population trends, developing reports, developing procedures for the a telephone-based patient follow-up services, and assisting in the planning of community outreach activities. Students are asked to attend regular Community Advisory Board, Professional Advisory Board, and COP workgroup meetings related to the Center’s development. Students interested in participating in this elective are asked to make an appointment to discuss the elective in person with Dr. Franks.
LR-Therapeutics (Dr. Franks) – Students enrolled in this 2-hour elective will help reinforce important therapeutics concepts to P2 students enrolled in Therapeutics I. Students will provide weekly review sessions to discuss disease processes and their pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies. Students will also assist in recitation by working with small groups to better understand patient assessment and therapeutic plan development. As a result, students enrolled in this elective will gain a better understanding of therapeutics topics in preparation for advanced pharmacy practice experiences. This elective is open to up to 3 P3 students during the Spring semester.
LR-Teaching (Dr. Castleberry) – Students enrolled in this 2-hour elective will learn the process of teaching a course in the pharmacy curriculum. Aspects may include the development of teaching modules, creating active learning exercises, using technology in the classroom, providing supplemental instruction for students, and assessing learning with examination questions. The student will serve as a teaching assistant for a pharmacology course and will gain a better understanding of pharmacology topics in preparation for therapeutics and advanced pharmacy practice experiences. This elective is open to up to 4 P3 students.
LR-Pharmacy Practice – Oncology (Dr. Dayer) — This course will use small groups (2 students) to answer different therapeutic dilemmas occurring in patients with cancer. Small groups will evaluate patient cases with an emphasis cancer disease states and symptoms associated with a cancer diagnosis. Other topics will include hospice, palliative care, advanced directives and other issues encountered in serious illnesses such as cancer.
LR–Pharmacy Practice — Preparation for Post-Graduate Residency Training (Dr. Hammond) – The specific goals of the special problems elective are to increase knowledge, interest, and confidence among students about post-graduate residency training (PGRT); identify and develop the skills needed for application to PGRT programs; and increase the likelihood of students obtaining a PGRT upon graduation.
LR and NW – Pharmacy Practice – Pharmacy Advocacy (Dr. Hilliard) – Students enrolled in this elective will be working to develop materials and aid in lobbying efforts to pass pharmacy issues in the Arkansas and U.S. legislature, including Pharmacist Provider Status. This elective will take up to four students (LR and NWA) with permission of the instructor.
LR and NW – Pharmacy Practice – AR Provider Status Task Force (Dr. Hilliard) – This elective will provide an opportunity for a student to be involved with the task force working towards obtaining pharmacist provider status in AR.
NW – Pharmacy Practice – Infectious Disease (Dr. Dickey) – This elective will provide students with opportunities for application of infectious disease principles. Students will be exposed to various learning environments including didactic lecture, team based learning, and clinical experience. The first part of the course will consist of didactic lecture to review microbiology, antimicrobial spectrum of activity, resistance mechanisms, and principles of stewardship. The second portion will involve literature reviews, creation of drug monographs, and a debate topics among students. The final component will involve clinical experience with patients at Mercy Hospital Northwest AR. Clinical activities include review of antimicrobial regimens, culture results, and diagnostic tests. Based on these reviews students will recommend initiation, modification, or discontinuation of antimicrobial therapy.
LR-Geriatric Pharmacy Practice (Dr. Hutchison) – This course will focus on socio-economic issues facing geriatric patients as they obtain prescription medications. The student will meet with the instructor and review issues and potential solutions. The course requires the student(s) to organize and participate in a Medicare Part D Planning Clinic to be held before the end of the semester.
NW-Public Health & Pharmacy Education (Drs. Seaton & Dickey) – This elective will facilitate a better understanding of public health initiatives and promotion of pharmacy. It will provide students an opportunity to develop projects focused on at least 1 disease state with the aim of meeting public health initiatives as outlined by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Students will have 2-4 projects during the semester which will focus on public health initiatives and the promotion of pharmacy.
Leadership- Special Problems (4 students, PY2 or PY3-3 separate courses from Dr. Heldenbrand, Dr. Flowers, and Dr. Dayer) – This course introduces students to the principles of leadership regardless of the practice setting. Students will focus on development of core leadership skills, self-awareness, advocacy, and the process for leading change. Active learning strategies are used to examine the Triple Aim and utilize the entrepreneurial spirit to design a project focused on one of the areas in the Triple Aim. Guest lectures focusing on leadership and some group project discussions will be held in conjunction with other Leadership-Special Problems electives classes.
LR-Evidence-based Medicine and Managed Care (Dr. Johnson) – This elective will provide the student with experience in becoming familiar with new drugs as they emerge to market, improving literature appraisal skills, and with incorporating the current best literature into proposals for the Evidence-based Prescription Drug Program (EBRx) Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee’s consideration on coverage of new drugs to market. Drug class reviews and regular presentations to the EBRx P&T committee are expected. Enrolled students can expect to gain valuable skills to prepare for residency and other postgraduate positions. (1-2 students, P3 or P4, with interest in EBM)
LR – Teaching – Principles of Pharmacy Practice (Dr. Reinhardt) – The elective will be associated with the Principles of Pharmacy Practice Course (PHPR 7201). The elective will provide the student with experience in teaching a course in the pharmacy curriculum. Aspects of the course include: Teaching aseptic technique to P2 students, directing students through media fill exercises in the clean room, keeping the clean room stocked and preparing the
bins for the media fill exercises, monitoring the vials in the incubator after the media fill exercises, making instructional videos on appropriate aseptic technique.
LR-Educational Research (Dr. Hammond) – The students will learn the technical and practical approaches necessary to conduct scholarship of teaching and learning. The students will assist with ongoing assessment and evaluation of novel learning strategies using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Opportunities for presentations and publications will be available.
LR-Special Problems – Research (Dr. Thomas) – This elective is for a student to participate in a community pharmacy research project aimed at increasing medication adherence through motivational interviewing provided by community pharmacists. The student’s role may include: literature reviews, developing training materials and schedules for motivational interviewing, analyzing collected data, communicating ongoing adherence performance to participating community pharmacies, preparing interim and final reports to the funding organization and developing a poster for presentation at a national meeting and/or a publication in a peer reviewed journal.
LR – Teaching (Dr. Hilliard) – Students enrolled in this two hour elective will learn online teaching pedagogy to develop an online educational program including teaching modules and engaging student exercises. As a result, students will gain an in-depth understanding of their subject area in order to deliver an effective educational program. This elective is open to up to three students with permission of the instructor.
LR – Pharmacy Practice – Top 200 (Dr. Dunn) – The purpose of this two-credit hour elective is to research and write concise “scripts” of patient counseling information for medications frequently prescribed in the United States. Students will have the opportunity to improve their writing skills and also gain experience in utilizing drug information resources. These “scripts” will be used to generate patient counseling YouTube videos recorded by UAMS student pharmacists as part of a companion Spring 2017 elective. Students enrolled in the fall elective will be given preference if they choose to enroll in the spring elective.