Major: Pharmacy Services
This major focuses on the principles and practices of pharmacy services, including pharmacotherapy, medication management, and patient care. Students develop skills in pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacy administration. Graduates are prepared for careers in pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and related healthcare organizations.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the fundamentals of pharmacy services and pharmacotherapy.
- Develop skills in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and medication management.
- Learn techniques for providing patient care and ensuring medication safety.
- Explore principles of clinical pharmacy, pharmacy administration, and healthcare systems.
- Analyze and interpret pharmaceutical data and research findings.
- Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills for effective pharmacy practice.
Major Outline:
- Introduction to Pharmacy Services - Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in pharmacy services and pharmacotherapy. - Fundamentals of pharmacy ethics, laws, and regulations.
- Pharmacology - Principles of pharmacology, including drug actions, mechanisms, and therapeutic uses. - Techniques for understanding and applying pharmacological principles in medication management.
- Pharmaceutics - Fundamentals of pharmaceutics, including drug formulation, dosage forms, and delivery systems. - Techniques for designing and manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
- Clinical Pharmacy - Principles of clinical pharmacy, including patient assessment, pharmacotherapy management, and interprofessional collaboration. - Techniques for providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care and optimizing patient outcomes.
- Medication Management - Principles of medication management, including prescription processing, dispensing, and patient counseling. - Techniques for ensuring medication safety, adherence, and effective use.
- Pharmacy Administration - Principles of pharmacy administration, including operations, finance, and human resources. - Techniques for managing pharmacy services, inventory, and quality improvement.
- Healthcare Systems and Policy - Principles of healthcare systems, policy analysis, and advocacy. - Techniques for understanding and navigating healthcare systems and policies in pharmacy practice.
- Pharmacy Services Practicum - Real-world experiences in pharmacy services, including observations, internships, and hands-on projects in pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. - Application of learned skills in practical pharmacy and patient care scenarios.
- Pharmacy Services Capstone Project - Comprehensive project applying skills in pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, or pharmacy administration. - Presentation of a polished medication management plan, clinical pharmacy intervention, or pharmacy services improvement project.
Assessment Methods:
Pharmacology reports, pharmaceutics projects, clinical pharmacy care plans, medication management strategies, pharmacy administration plans, healthcare policy analyses, practicum reports, capstone projects, group projects, and internship evaluations.
Recommended Textbooks:
- "Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics" by Laurence L. Brunton et al.
- "Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy" by various authors.
- "Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics" by various authors.
- "Medication Management in Pharmacy Practice" by various authors.
- "Pharmacy Management: Essentials for All Practice Settings" by Shane Desselle et al.
- "Healthcare Systems and Policy" by various authors.
Prerequisites:
Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology, and healthcare. Suitable for students interested in pharmacy, healthcare, and medication management.
Major Duration:
A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree typically takes 4 to 6 years, including coursework, projects, practicums, internships, and clinical rotations.
Certification:
Graduates can earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree and pursue further education or professional certifications in related fields, such as Board Certification in pharmacy specialties. Licensure by national and state pharmacy boards is required for practice.
Target Audience:
Aspiring pharmacists, clinical pharmacists, pharmacy managers, healthcare providers, and individuals seeking careers in pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and related healthcare organizations.
This major equips students with the pharmacological, clinical, and administrative skills necessary to excel in pharmacy services and support careers in pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, and related healthcare organizations.