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Peer-Reviewed Articles Pharmacy Assessment of a Nonprescription Medicine Formulary Assignment for Student
Pharmacists
Kelly P. Masters, Erin N. Adams and Craig A.H. Richard,
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Attitudes of Pharmacy Students Toward Mental Illness Across the Professional Curriculum Kelsey L. May, PharmD, Staff Pharmacist, Wal-Mart, Hattiesburg, MS
Thomas W. Woolley, PhD, Professor of Statistics, Brock School of Business, Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Abstract
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether pharmacy students’ attitudes toward
mental illness varied throughout the 4 years of the professional curriculum and to determine whether
attitudes changed specifically as a result of psychiatric therapeutics in the third year.
Methods: A survey composed of the Index of Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill
and Whatley's Social Distance Scale was administered to students at the
Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy.
Results: The survey was completed by 411 students. Positive responses were seen on 15 of the 19 items
on both scales combined. The only statistically significant finding between classes was that fourth-year
students had more favorable responses than second-year students on the Index of Attitudes Toward the
Mentally Ill. Exposure of third-year students to mental illness via psychiatric therapeutics did not result in
statistically significant changes in scores on either scale. More favorable responses were seen for
females and students with previous exposure to mental illness.
Conclusions: Attitudes of pharmacy students toward mental illness were generally positive and were
relatively unaffected by their year in the curriculum. The attitudes of third-year students toward mental
illness were unchanged by psychiatric therapeutics.
Keywords: pharmacy students, attitudes, mentally ill
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Pharmacy Assessment of a Nonprescription Medicine Formulary Assignment for Student Pharmacists
Kelly P. Masters, PharmD, BCPS, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Shenandoah University,
Winchester, VA Erin N. Adams, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Shenandoah University,
Winchester, VA
Craig A.H. Richard, PhD, Associate Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Shenandoah University,
Winchester, VA
Objectives: To assess student pharmacists? utilization, perceptions, and suggestions
for improvement on the creation and use of a nonprescription medicines formulary.
Methods: Second-year student pharmacists created a nonprescription medicines formulary as part of a nonprescription medicine course. To assess the longitudinal value of the formulary assignment, data was collected from 4 pharmacy student classes at the completion of the assignment one year and then again two years later. The survey included multiple-choice questions and an open-ended question to gather suggestions.
Results: The majority (201 students, 71%) of the students completed the surveys, utilized their formulary,
still possessed the formulary, believed the assignment increased their knowledge, believed the
assignment should remain in the course, and were comfortable with nonprescription medicines for healthy
adults. Only a minority of students were comfortable with nonprescription medicines for special
populations.
Conclusions: The survey results indicate an overall positive perception of a nonprescription formulary
assignment by pharmacy students as well as areas for improvement.
Key words: formulary, monograph, nonprescription, over-the-counter, self-care, OTC
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Marshall E. Cates, PharmD, BCPP, FASHP, Assistant Dean & Professor of Pharmacy Practice,
McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Samford University, Birmingham, AL
Abstract
June 2009