Hands on Learning

In the P1 year, students complete an Early Professional Experience the summer prior to entering the College of Pharmacy. Each student is assigned to an ambulatory and institutional site for a 1-day shadow experience. During the 1-day shadow experience, students complete a worksheet and a reflection assignment. Students will discuss their experiences in the Fall semester during the Pharmacy Practice I Course. In addition, students receive training on measuring blood pressure and sterile IV preparation during the Spring semester to prepare them for the P2 year IPPEs.

In the P2 year, students complete a 2-week, full-time experience. The course provides an introductory, real practice experience to 2nd year students in an ambulatory or institutional setting. Students gain hands-on experience training in an ambulatory or institutional setting to further develop their professional education and skills. Students spend 2-weeks immediately prior to the start of the Fall and Spring semester at an ambulatory or institutional site (ambulatory for one block and institutional for one block). Each IPPE has a list of assignments and a checklist of activities that will be completed by students. 

In the P3 year, students complete the peer-mentored IPPE. This course is an on-site experience under the guidance of a 4th year pharmacy student at various practice sites. The 3rd year student is matched with a 4th year PharmD student. The P3 student is required to visit at minimum 8 of the 9 P4 students' advanced practice sites. The 3rd year student is required to spend time with the 4th year student on advanced clinical rotations (two 4 hours visits / per month - minimum 16 visits total). During the 2 semester sequence, the 3rd year student will be expected to accomplish numerous learning objectives. The 4th year student will be responsible for engaging students in activities that allow them the opportunity to meet the stated objectives/outcomes. The student applies select skills learned in the pharmacy curriculum at the practice sites.

Other components of our IPPE program include simulation activities in the Pharmacy Practice Skills Development Courses and independent professional development activities such as attending health fairs and professional meetings.

As part of the IPPE program, students will be required to attend professional meeting(s) and/or participate in health fair(s). Students must complete 30 total hours during the PY1 and PY3 years of pharmacy school (approximately 10 hours per year).

The Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience during the fourth professional year at the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy is a full-time practical experience. The student receives academic credit for their experience as well as internship hours acceptable toward licensure by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. The purpose of APPEs is for the student to learn to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the first three years of the PharmD program in order to prepare students for pharmacy practice.

The student will participate in nine 1-month long training periods at a variety of sites to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn and participate in the direct care of acute and chronically ill patients. During APPEs, each student will train under the immediate supervision of faculty (full-time and adjunct) who serve as their preceptors.

All students will complete 6 core rotations:

• Hospital Medicine
• Hospital Medical-Surgical Specialty
• Ambulatory Care Clinic
• Community Pharmacy
• Medication Safety Management
• Direct Patient Care Elective

Students also complete 3 elective rotations that can be any of the required rotations or other non-patient care rotations.