Calculations Across the Curriculum: An Innovative Approach to Improve Student’s Ability to Perform Pharmaceutical Calculations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2013
Abstract
"Objective: In an effort to improve learning in Area 2 of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), the School of Pharmacy at Hampton University implemented a Calculations Across the Curriculum (CAC) program. Our objective is to evaluate the impact of theCACprogram on student competency in Area 2 and to determine ifCACcan be used as a predictor for future Area 2 scores for our pharmacy graduates. Methods: CAC incorporates pharmaceutical calculations problems and exercises in courses throughout the didactic curriculum based on a monthly calculations theme, such as alligation, aliquot, isotonicity or percentage. Students were administered a pharmaceutical calculations pre-test at the start of the semester. This was followed by a monthly review session on a relevant topic and a calculations assessment posted on Blackboard. A remediation session was offered to students who did not pass the calculations assessment. In addition, faculty administered calculation questions based on the monthly theme to the students in various forms of assessment, such as quizzes, exams, and class exercises.Apost-test was then given at the end of the semester. Results were measured using descriptive statistics and comparative (T-test) analysis. Results: Feedback from students concerning the CAC program has been positive. Preliminary results indicate that 60% of the students who participated in CAC showed an improvement between their pre- and post-test scores. Implications: Utilizing a Calculations Across the Curriculum program ensures continuous reinforcement and reiteration of calculation concepts each semester, and is expected to enhance student performance on the NAPLEX."
Recommended Citation
Campbell VC, Noreddin AM, Ombengi D, Harris WT, Andrews E, Ndemo F, Azad N, Iyer A, Ramaley C, Deadre J, Richards-Spruill PL, Saulsbury M. Calculations across the curriculum: An innovative approach to improve student’s ability to perform pharmaceutical calculations. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. 2013;77(5):109.
Copyright
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
Comments
This article was originally published in American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, volume 77, issue 5, in 2013. DOI: 10.5688/ajpe775109
Dr. Noreddin's article is on page 129 of the PDF.