Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum
Background: Pharmacology and pharmacotherapy (P&PT) is a foundational subject within the medical curriculum, preparing students for safe prescribing. The characteristics of students entering medical school change with time, and novel insights on teaching and learning also become available. A per...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | International Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/2/3/20 |
| _version_ | 1797579592486092800 |
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| author | Rahul Pandit Merel C. S. Poleij Mirjam A. F. M. Gerrits |
| author_facet | Rahul Pandit Merel C. S. Poleij Mirjam A. F. M. Gerrits |
| author_sort | Rahul Pandit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Pharmacology and pharmacotherapy (P&PT) is a foundational subject within the medical curriculum, preparing students for safe prescribing. The characteristics of students entering medical school change with time, and novel insights on teaching and learning also become available. A periodic review of the curriculum is required to investigate whether the current P&PT teaching optimally supports learning. Methods: To investigate this, the students’ perceptions of their knowledge and competence in various P&PT topics were studied. A total of 152 third-year bachelor’s students were invited to answer a 40-point online questionnaire. Results: The response rate for completing the questionnaire was 32% (N = 49). Students valued P&PT teaching, did not skip P&PT topics and desired more P&PT classes. Interestingly, students were hesitant to use recommended literature and textbooks to prepare themselves for classes. Concerning perceptions of knowledge and competence, students rated lower confidence in prescription writing skills and knowledge of drugs acting on the central nervous system. Conclusions: Although there are many positive elements within the current curriculum, the incorporation of teaching methodologies to ensure active student engagement is warranted. These modifications are essential to properly training the current generation of medical students for their role as future prescribers. A relatively low response rate and overestimation of one’s competencies remain potential biases in the study. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:38:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-93b6aeb5a5614e9f8602bb4d1aa4a95b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2813-141X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:38:22Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-93b6aeb5a5614e9f8602bb4d1aa4a95b2023-11-19T11:13:19ZengMDPI AGInternational Medical Education2813-141X2023-09-012320621810.3390/ime2030020Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical CurriculumRahul Pandit0Merel C. S. Poleij1Mirjam A. F. M. Gerrits2Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (BCRM-UMCU), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (BCRM-UMCU), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (BCRM-UMCU), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The NetherlandsBackground: Pharmacology and pharmacotherapy (P&PT) is a foundational subject within the medical curriculum, preparing students for safe prescribing. The characteristics of students entering medical school change with time, and novel insights on teaching and learning also become available. A periodic review of the curriculum is required to investigate whether the current P&PT teaching optimally supports learning. Methods: To investigate this, the students’ perceptions of their knowledge and competence in various P&PT topics were studied. A total of 152 third-year bachelor’s students were invited to answer a 40-point online questionnaire. Results: The response rate for completing the questionnaire was 32% (N = 49). Students valued P&PT teaching, did not skip P&PT topics and desired more P&PT classes. Interestingly, students were hesitant to use recommended literature and textbooks to prepare themselves for classes. Concerning perceptions of knowledge and competence, students rated lower confidence in prescription writing skills and knowledge of drugs acting on the central nervous system. Conclusions: Although there are many positive elements within the current curriculum, the incorporation of teaching methodologies to ensure active student engagement is warranted. These modifications are essential to properly training the current generation of medical students for their role as future prescribers. A relatively low response rate and overestimation of one’s competencies remain potential biases in the study.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/2/3/20pharmacologypharmacotherapyteaching pharmacologystudent perception |
| spellingShingle | Rahul Pandit Merel C. S. Poleij Mirjam A. F. M. Gerrits Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum International Medical Education pharmacology pharmacotherapy teaching pharmacology student perception |
| title | Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum |
| title_full | Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum |
| title_fullStr | Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum |
| title_full_unstemmed | Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum |
| title_short | Student Perception of Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy in a Bachelor’s Medical Curriculum |
| title_sort | student perception of knowledge and skills in pharmacology and pharmacotherapy in a bachelor s medical curriculum |
| topic | pharmacology pharmacotherapy teaching pharmacology student perception |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2813-141X/2/3/20 |
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