Assessment of center for the advancement of pharmaceutical education (CAPE) outcomes in a capstone course of an accelerated pharmacy program

Jennifer L. Donovan, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Abir O. Kanaan, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Matthew A. Silva, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Evan Horton, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Cheryl Abel, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Paul P. Belliveau, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Abstract

Objective

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education endorses assessment of achievement of learning outcomes in pharmacy programs. This is a process that is aided by requiring that course outcomes align with student learning outcomes (SLOs). We sought to assess student achievement of multiple outcomes that have been linked to a senior capstone course.

Materials and Methods

SLOs were applied to a capstone course that requires a professional poster presentation. Faculty assessment of SLOs achievement and students' self-assessment were completed using specific evaluation tools. Successful achievement was defined as an overall score of greater than or equal to 70%.

Results

There were 158 students assessed by faculty; 92 students completed self-evaluations. Faculty assessment found that students completed 85% of the course evaluation items (70% expected, p less than or equal to 0.001), with student self-assessment consistent with faculty assessment.

Conclusions

The assessment methods in this course provided insight into how well our pharmacy curriculum prepares students for performance of tasks that are essential attributes for a graduating pharmacist.