The department of pharmacy at Komar University of Science and Technology has been one of the leading private pharmacy departments since its founding in 2018. The department attracts a diverse student population and provides quality pharmacy education through its pursuit of excellence and innovation in teaching, virtual pharmacy and scientific laboratories. The campus environment encourages and promotes creativity, innovation, and collegiality.
Consistent with the mission of Komar University of Science and Technology, the department maintains a strong commitment to access and excellence. In an effort to be consistent with national benchmarks and standards, the Scientific Committee of the department and Quality Assurance periodically engages in a process of reviewing the learning outcomes of the program and ensuring that it adheres to these national benchmarks, guidelines and standards.
The learning outcomes serve as the guiding framework for course/curricular review, development of co-curricular and extracurricular activities, mapping, assessment, and remediation efforts of the department. The outcomes are presented in four domains as outlined below.
Domain 1–Foundational Knowledge
1.1 Learner: Develop, integrate, and apply knowledge from the foundational sciences (i.e., pharmaceutical, social/behavioral/administrative, health, and clinical sciences) to evaluate the scientific literature, explain drug action, solve therapeutic problems, and advance population health and patient-centered care.
Learning Outcomes
1.1.1. Develop and demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in pharmaceutical, social/behavioral/administrative, health, and clinical sciences.
1.1.2. Articulate how knowledge in foundational sciences is integral to clinical reasoning; evaluation of future advances in medicine and pharmacy; supporting health and wellness initiatives; and delivery of contemporary pharmacy services.
1.1.3. Integrate knowledge from foundational sciences to explain the way specific drugs or drug classes work and evaluate their potential value in individuals and populations.
1.1.4. Apply knowledge in foundational sciences to solve therapeutic problems and advance patient-centered care and population-based care.
1.1.5. Critically analyze and assimilate evidence from scientific literature related to drugs and disease to enhance clinical decision-making.
1.1.6. Identify, critically analyze, and assimilate emerging theories, information, and technologies that may impact patient-centered and population-based care.
Domain 2–Essentials for Practice and Care
2.1. Patient-centered care: Provide patient-centered care as the medication expert (collect and interpret evidence, prioritize, formulate assessments and recommendations, foster patient support and empowerment, implement, monitor and adjust plans, and document activities).
Learning Outcomes
2.1.1. Collect subjective and objective evidence related to the patient, medications, allergies/adverse reactions, and disease(s), by performing patient assessment (including physical assessment, screenings, and risk assessments scores when needed) from chart/electronic health records, pharmacist records, and discussions with other health professionals and the patient/family/care-giver.
2.1.2. Interpret evidence and patient data.
2.1.3. Prioritize patient needs.
2.1.4. Formulate an evidence-based care plan, assessment, and recommendation.
2.1.5. Implement and/or recommend patient care plans.
2.1.6. Monitor the patient and adjust the care plan as needed.
2.1.7. Document patient care related activities.
2. 2 Medication use systems management: Manage patient healthcare needs using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to optimize the safety and efficacy of medication use systems.
Learning Outcomes
2.2.1. Compare and contrast the components of typical medication use systems in different pharmacy practice settings.
2.2.2. Describe the role of the pharmacist in impacting the safety and efficacy of each component of a typical medication use system (i.e., procurement, storage, prescribing, transcription, dispensing, administration, monitoring, and documentation).
2.2.3. Apply standards, guidelines, best practices, and established processes related to safe and effective medication use.
2.2.4. Utilize continuous quality improvement techniques in the medication use process and participate in identifying system errors and, when possible, implement solutions.
2.2.5. Demonstrate the ability to compound extemporaneous and commercially available dosage forms, dispense, and administer medications in a variety of healthcare settings.
2.2.6. Apply legal, ethical, and professional standards within a medication use system.
2.2.7. Demonstrate knowledge of and an ability to use medical informatics.
2.2.8. Demonstrate the ability to apply a systems approach to improve patient (medication) safety.
Health and wellness: Design prevention, intervention, and educational strategies for individuals and communities to manage disease and improve health and wellness.
Learning Outcomes
2.3.1. Describe systematic preventive care, using risk assessment, risk reduction, screening, education, and immunizations.
2.3.2. Provide prevention, intervention, and educational strategies for individuals and communities to improve health and wellness.
Domain 3–Approach to Practice and Care
3.1. Problem Solving: Identify problems; explore and prioritize potential strategies; and design, implement, and evaluate a viable solution.
Learning Outcomes
3.1.1. Identify and define all relevant problems.
3.1.2 Select between the primary as well as secondary problems.
3.1.3. Define goals and alternative goals.
3.1.4. Explore multiple solutions by organizing, prioritizing, and defending each possible solution.
3.1.5. Anticipate positive and negative outcomes by reviewing assumptions, inconsistencies, and unintended consequences.
3.1.6 Recommend and/or implement the most viable solution, including monitoring parameters, to measure intended and unintended consequences.
3.2 Patient Advocacy (Advocate): Assure that patients’ best interests are represented.
Learning Objectives
3.2.1. Empower patients to take responsibility for, and control of, their health.
3.2.2. Assist patients in obtaining the resources and care required in an efficient and cost-effective manner (e.g., triage to social and/or other healthcare services).
3.3 Interprofessional collaboration (Collaborator): Actively participate and engage as a healthcare team member by demonstrating mutual respect, understanding, and values to meet patient care needs.
Learning Outcomes
3.3.1. Establish a climate of shared values and mutual respect necessary to meet patient care needs.
3.3.2. Define clear roles and responsibilities for team members to optimize outcomes for specific patient care encounters.
3.3.3. Communicate in a manner that values team-based decision making and shows respect for contributions from other areas of expertise.
3.3.4. Foster accountability and leverage expertise to form a highly functioning team (one that includes the patient, family, and community) and promote shared patient-centered problem solving.
3.4 Communication : Effectively communicate verbally and nonverbally when interacting with an individual, group, or organization.
Learning Outcomes
3.4.1. Interview and/or counsel patients/care givers using an organized structure, specific questioning techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing), and medical terminology adapted for the audience.
3.4.2. Actively listen and ask appropriate open and closed-ended questions to gather information.
3.4.3. Use available technology and other media to assist with communication as appropriate.
3.4.4. Use effective interpersonal skills to establish rapport and build trusting relationships.
3.4.5. Communicate assertively, persuasively, confidently, and clearly.
3.4.6. Demonstrate empathy when interacting with others.
3.4.7. Deliver and obtain feedback to assess learning and promote goal setting and goal attainment.
3.4.8. Develop professional documents pertinent to organizational needs (e.g., monographs, policy documents).
3.4.9. Document patient care activities clearly, concisely, and accurately using appropriate medical terminology, standardized qualitative and quantitative methods.
Domain 4–Personal and Professional Development
4.1 Self-awareness: Examine and reflect on personal knowledge, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, and emotions that could enhance or limit personal and professional growth.
Learning Outcomes
4.1.1. Maintain motivation, attention, and interest (e.g., habits of mind) during learning and work-related activities.
4.1.2. Identify, create, implement, evaluate, and modify plans for personal and professional development for the purpose of individual growth.
4.1.3. Approach tasks with a desire to learn.
4.1.4. Demonstrate persistence and flexibility in various situations; engaging in help seeking behavior when appropriate.
4.1.5. Strive for accuracy and precision by displaying a willingness to recognize, correct, and learn from errors.
4.1.6. Seek personal, professional, or academic support to address personal limitations.
4.1.7. Display positive self-esteem and confidence when working with others.
4.1.8. Demonstrate the ability to be a self-directed lifelong learner.
4.2 Leadership: Demonstrate responsibility for creating and achieving shared goals, regardless of position.
Learning Outcomes
4.2.1. Identify, compare, and contrast the characteristics that reflect leadership versus management.
4.2.2. Identify the history (e.g., successes and challenges) of a team before implementing changes.
4.2.3. Develop relationships, value diverse opinions, and utilize individuals’ strengths and weaknesses to promote teamwork.
4.2.4. Persuasively communicate goals to the team to help build consensus.
4.3 Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Engage in innovative activities by using creative thinking to envision better ways of accomplishing professional goals.
Learning Outcomes
4.3.1. Demonstrate initiative when confronted with challenges.
4.3.2. Develop new ideas and approaches to improve quality or overcome barriers to advance the profession.
4.3.3. Demonstrate creative decision-making when confronted with problems or challenges.
4.3.4. Apply entrepreneurial skills within a real or simulated entrepreneurial activity.
4.4 Professionalism: Exhibit behaviors and values that are consistent with the trust given to the profession by patients, other healthcare providers, and society.
Learning Outcomes
4.4.1. Demonstrate altruism, integrity, trustworthiness, diligence, flexibility, patience, humility, and respect in all interactions.
4.4.2. Display preparation, initiative, and accountability consistent with a commitment to excellence.
4.4.3. Deliver patient-centered care in a manner that is legal, ethical, and compassionate and free of conflict of interest.
4.4.4. Demonstrate an awareness that one’s professionalism is constantly evaluated by others.
4.4.5. Engage in the profession of pharmacy by demonstrating a commitment to its continual improvement.
4.4.6. Display respect for patient privacy, confidentiality, and autonomy.