Class of 2007 Abstract / Objectives: The purpose of this study is to design and evaluate an online preceptor education module for pharmacy preceptors at the University of Arizona. Methods: A computer-based preceptor teaching program was developed and made available online. In order to evaluate this program, a focus group was conducted with pharmacy preceptors from the Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System. Additionally, a brief questionnaire collecting demographic data was administered. Results: A 60-minute computer-based program was developed for teaching microskills (e.g. setting goals and expectations). The seven preceptors who participated in the focus group liked the program design and content. They found the format and subject matter useful in precepting students and found the cases presented to be applicable to students they had encountered. The preceptors also showed interest in future programs of this nature. Conclusions: Preceptors found a computer module using slides and audio to teach microskills useful and indicated that it would improve their ability to precept students.

No description available.

Class of 2014 Abstract / Specific Aims: To increase the use of best practices by pharmacy preceptors within their own settings and to identify if live continuing education presentations are considered superior to other forms of CE presentation. Subjects: Pharmacists attending the “Quest for the Best: Best Practices for Pharmacy Preceptors” CE program at the Arizona Pharmacy Alliance 2013 Annual Convention. Methods: Surveys administered before, after, and 6 months following the CE program collected data concerning the use of syllabi for rotations, the type and quantity of expected projects, frequency of student oversight, and feedback opportunities. Follow-up surveys assessed preferred forms of CE delivery. A survey administered six months following the CE’s conclusion identified changes made at the subjects’ sites as a result of the CE. Main Results: Surveys were completed by 20 pharmacy preceptors (mean years of experience = 5.95; SD = 5.36). 86% of the subjects preferred the live CE; 5% would have preferred the CE be delivered as a webinar. Chi-square testing found no statistically significant difference between pre-CE use of syllabus, frequency of student monitoring, and frequency of given feedback compared to 6-months post-CE (p = 0.59, 0.57, 0.30 respectively). Conclusion: The CE program did not demonstrate a difference among attending pharmacy preceptors in incorporating a syllabus at their site, altering monitoring of student, or time provided for feedback. Live CE was found to be the most desired at imparting best practices to pharmacy preceptors. 86% of responders reported changing their site practices as a result of the CE presentation.

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: To explore and describe the attitudes of pharmacy preceptors regarding the instruction of international student pharmacists. Methods: Two focus groups were held, involving a total a ten pharmacy preceptors associated with the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, the majority of whom had prior experience working with international pharmacy scholars. Results: Preceptors reported a number of both benefits and challenges associated with instructing international scholars. They benefited from the students’ contribution to the pharmacy team, and from the exposure to different cultures. The challenges they encountered primarily involved the language barrier, cultural differences, and differences in knowledge and training compared to local students. Conclusions: Preceptors reported overall positive experiences in working with international pharmacy scholars, and also faced a number of challenges.

Magister Curationis - MCur / The nurse preceptors underwent a preceptorship training programme offered by the University of the Western Cape, School of Nursing, which prepared them for this teaching role. A quantitative study was done following this preceptorship training programme but no qualitative study since. It is vital to explore the experiences of these trained nurse preceptors regarding clinical teaching practice post the training programme. The aim of the study was to explore trained nurse preceptors‟ experiences regarding their clinical teaching practice in the Western Cape. The objective was to describe trained nurse preceptors‟ experiences of their clinical teaching practice in the service settings in the Western Cape. An exploratory, descriptive, contextual design was used to describe the experiences of trained nurse preceptors in the Western Cape. A purposive sample was selected from three levels of healthcare service settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by the researcher with nine individual nurse preceptors who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Data analysis was done following Collaizi‟s‟ steps which led to coding of categories and themes. The findings indicated that preceptorship training programme had changed the nurse preceptors‟ perceptions. These nurse preceptors were prepared by the programme and ready for the preceptor role. Their teaching skills were strengthened and improved. They accepted the training programme as adequate preparation to facilitate clinical teaching and learning of students and found it to be effective for their self-development. These findings will inform v the managers about clinical teaching practice, assist the offering institution with the evaluation of the preceptorship training programme and add to an existing literature about the experiences of nurse preceptors. This research recommends that the education institutions, in collaboration with the clinical facilities initiate a qualitative study to explore the experiences of students preceptored by trained nurse preceptors. Such a study will further explore the effectiveness of the preceptorship training programme from the perspective of the students. With the positive feedback from the participants, it is essential that the training of preceptors remains one of the continuing education programme offered by the University of the Western Cape. Permission to conduct this research was obtained from the University of Western Cape, Senate Higher Degrees Committee, and Western Cape of Provincial Department Research Team in Western Cape as well as from the Chief Executive Officers of the three levels of healthcare service settings.

Magister Curationis / Background: A preceptor is defined as a specialized tutor who gives practical training to the student in the practice settings. Preceptors are frequently used to orientate nursing students to prepare them for their duties as professional nurses. In the Western Cape Province professional nurses attend a training programme to prepare them for the role of preceptor. Following the training it is unclear how the trained nurse preceptors' perceive their preparation for the role. The perceptions of preceptors may also influence their commitment to their role. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the interrelationships among preceptors' perceptions of benefits and rewards of, support for and commitment to the role. A conceptual framework guided the study which replicated previous studies that explored nurse preceptors' perceptions. Research Methodology: A descriptive, correlational design was used in this study to address the research questions. A quantitative approach was used to establish the perceptions of nurse preceptors' benefits, support and commitment to the role. The convenience sample was drawn from the preceptors (n=60) who completed the preceptor training programme at the University of the Western Cape. Instrumentation for the study included the following scales: Preceptor's Perceptions of Benefits and Rewards Scale, the Preceptor's Perceptions of Support Scale and the Commitment to the Preceptor Role Scale. Data analysis was performed through SPSS 20.0 to produce both descriptive and inferential statistics and to establish the relationships between the variables. Results and Recommendations: Statistical significance was examined and correlation between variables were analysed. The findings indicated that nurse preceptors were committed to their role: the workload of nurse preceptors needs to be refined and in-service training should be given to the nursing staff in relation to the goals of the nurse preceptor in the clinical and education units. The findings of this study will add to what is known about preceptors' perceptions and may assist in guiding the evaluation of the preceptorship programme. In addition, the results may inform nurse managers about the perceived benefits, rewards and support required by preceptors, thus adding to the body of knowledge about clinical teaching and learning. Ethical Considerations: Ethical clearance was sought from the Ethics Committee of the University of the Western Cape and informed consent was obtained from the participants. iv

No description available.

research aims to examine evidence concerning the implementation of learning theories in the QU PharmD programme, utilising a case study research approach. The research is divided into four stages, conducted under the umbrella of a social constructivist interpretative framework and the constructivist and social theories of learning. In the first stage, the perceptions of full-time students, faculty and preceptors in the QU PharmD programme were explored; these raised questions regarding the role of learning theory in the design and delivery of the programme. The second stage explored the extent to which the programme is based on learning theories by interviewing two programme designers, a pharmacy education scholar and an accreditation agency administrator. This stage proposed a disconnect between learning theories and educational practice in the QU PharmD programme, and suggested the need for investigating the implications of the proposed disconnect from a Communities of Practice (CoP) theory perspective. In the third stage, a novel CoP theory-informed framework was developed through an extensive review of the literature. In the fourth stage, the CoP framework was used as a theoretical instrument to analyse the evidence of CoP theory in the QU PharmD programme by conducting three focus groups and five interviews with key stakeholders, and by performing document analysis. The research suggests that the disconnect between CoP learning theory and the educational practices in the QU PharmD programme is at the “implicit disconnect” level, meaning that some elements of the CoP framework were implicitly evident. This implicit disconnect contributes to the challenges found in the programme. This study concludes with the creation of a case study-developed theory emphasising the importance of the full and explicit implementation of learning theory in educational practices. The theory calls for better integration of academic, practice, accreditation, and governmental sector efforts in professional healthcare educational reform initiatives.

Background: The United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines support screening and provision of intensive multi-component behavioral counseling for adults who have obesity. One barrier to providing such counseling is lack of training in medical school. Not much is known about factors associated with medical students’ perceived weight management counseling (WMC) skills or whether preceptors model or teach WMC during primary care clerkships. Methods: A mixed methods approach addressed factors affecting WMC training during primary care clerkships. A secondary analysis of 3rd year medical students (n=730) described students’ perceived WMC skills, attitudes and frequency of engagement in 5As educational experiences. Linear mixed models were used to determine associations between educational experiences and perceived skills. Semi-structured interviews (n=12) and a survey were administered to primary care preceptors (n=77). Interviews described individual, inter-personal and institutional factors associated with preceptors’ WMC. The survey described preceptors’ frequency of modeling WMC behaviors, perceived WMC skills, and attitudes. Results: Students perceived themselves to be moderately skilled (M=2.6, SD=0.05, range 1-4). Direct patient experiences and specific instruction were associated with higher perceived skill. Preceptors support WMC curricula but do not perceive themselves to be experts in WMC. Preceptors perceive themselves to be moderately skilled (M=2.8, SD=0.06, range 1-4) but only sometimes model WMC (M=3.3, SD=0.05, range 1-5) to students during clerkships. Conclusion: Preceptor modeling WMC may not be feasible or necessary during primary care clerkships. Providing specific WMC instruction and working with patients may provide more benefit as they were more strongly associated with students’ perceived skills.

A quantitative, descriptive non-experimental design was used to identify the factors that influence clinical teaching of midwifery students in selected postnatal clinical settings in Tanzania. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from midwifery tutors/preceptors. The major findings of the study showed that both the professional and educational qualification of tutors was low; tutors and preceptors were overworked due to shortage of staff; the school skills laboratory and postnatal wards lacked equipment and necessary supplies; there were no clinical accompaniment guidelines, and overcrowding of postnatal patients. Recommendations included developing the clinical teaching guidelines, employing more tutors, preceptors and clinical staff; improving the tutors'/ preceptors' educational and professional qualifications and updating the qualifications of ward supervisors and clinical facilitators. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)