Incorporating a Weight Management Skills Workshop in Pharmacy Curricula in Australia

Am J Pharm Educ. 2016 May 25;80(4):69. doi: 10.5688/ajpe80469.

Abstract

Objective. To develop, implement, and evaluate a competency-based weight management skills workshop for undergraduate pharmacy students in an Australian university. Design. A 3-hour workshop titled "Weight Management in Pharmacy" was implemented with a cohort of fourth-year undergraduate pharmacy students (n=180). Learning activities used included case-based learning, hands-on experience, role-play, and group discussion. Assessment. A 22-item attitudinal survey instrument and the validated Obesity Risk Knowledge (ORK-10) scale were administered at baseline and postworkshop to evaluate the impact of this educational workshop. There was significant improvement in the students' ORK scores and students' perceived level of self-confidence in performing weight management skills. Conclusion. An educational workshop designed to enhance professional competencies in weight management ensured graduates were "service-ready" and had the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attributes to deliver patient-centered pharmacy-based weight management services.

Keywords: competency-based workshop; pharmacy student; weight management.

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Curriculum*
  • Education / methods*
  • Education, Pharmacy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Students, Pharmacy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Weight Loss*
  • Young Adult