When teaching medical studies through the didactic method, instructors use a wider method of teaching that involves theory and practical applications. Experiential learning is also didactic learning where a student learns in an unstructured manner. The beginning of didactic learning focuses on the knowledge that students already have and improves on this knowledge base. The teacher in this type of scientific teaching is a guide, mentor and resource for students.

This method of didactic education brings together classroom, laboratory, clinical and patient experiences. In pharmacy education this experiential component provides exposure to settings in an actual pharmacy and learning how to cope with patients, medical professionals, and drug companies. Students are given opportunities for higher growth potential and strengthen self-confidence. This teaching method compliments traditional learning and is a part of the pharmacy curriculum during the third and fourth years of schooling.

Schools of Pharmacy that offer this type of learning divide their programs into three major areas of study. These include provision of experiential education, professional development and pharmacy practice exposure. Clinical and pharmacy sites are provided for students to put into practice the learning they have received throughout their pharmacy college career. This is a very practical and vital link between knowledge and practice.

An additional goal of didactic teaching and learning for pharmacy students is to develop the correct methods of searching for employment in the pharmacy industry. Included is exposure to management, personnel development and the actual facilitating or running of a pharmacy center. Goals include teaching and giving pharmacy students the experience and exposure to the expanding roles of pharmacists in this changing health environment. Working in hands-on environment pharmacy students quickly learn how to coordinate and disseminate information to patients, work with medical professionals, deal with technicians and administrators, and coordinate medication plans of action.

Additional exposure for pharmacists that is highly important in this information age is the awareness and training in HIPAA laws, rules and procedures. Safety, security, and privacy of information are vital to the pharmacy industry and without this training a pharmacist will not be able to properly dispense medical information to patients. Pharmacy colleges offer, as part of their curriculum, access to HIPAA training courses, unlimited time and attempt to complete the courses and tests. HIPAA courses through pharmacy schools include HIPAA awareness, privacy rules, implementation and being aware of the Omnibus Rule 2013. A final exam will be offered and a certificate of completion printed off for students and potential employment records. All registered nurses, physicians, pharmacists, business associates in a medical setting and health care professionals who have direct contact with patients are required by law and employment status to take and master HIPPA training.

A certified and educated pharmacist is a highly valued member of your medical team. With a direct knowledge and research capability to find the best medications for patients a pharmacist is highly expert on drug interactions and side effects. If patients have questions on the correct procedures involved in taking medications and how they work, a pharmacist is the expert.

For more information, please visit our experiental education website.

For more information, please visit our experiental education website http://pharm.hamptonu.edu/programs/experiental.cfm

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our experiental education website.

Category: Education
Keywords: experiental education