Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Objective: The objective was to determine if student communication skills differ between patient and physician encounters. Methods: The class of 2008 (n=80), participated in an OSCE as the final in Therapeutics I (Spring P2 year) and Therapeutics II (Fall P3 year). OSCE encounters used standardized participants (SPs) that were either physician- or patient-SPs. Therapeutics I OSCE had 3 physician-SP & 2 patient-SP encounters and Therapeutics II OSCE had 4 physician-SP & 2 patient-SP encounters. Each encounter was graded with a dichotomous therapeutic and communication skill checklist. The communication checklist was the same for all encounters. A communication score was calculated based on the following items: “used appropriate terminology”, “was sensitive to situation”, and “was confident”. Communication scores were compared using a paired T-test. Data are presented as mean  SD with an alpha level of 0.05. Results: The average communication score for physician-SP encounters (96.3% +/- 5.06) was greater than patient-SP encounters (88.3% +/- 7.9, p<0.05). This difference was greater in Therapeutics I (physician-SP = 97.3% +/- 6.1 & patient-SP = 87.9% +/- 18.4 – p<0.05) than in Therapeutics II (physician-SP = 95.3% +/- 6.9 & patient-SP = 88.8% +/- 19.4 – p<0.05). There was no difference in the Therapeutics I and II average cumulative communication scores (93.4 +/- 9.4 & 93.1 +/- 9.2, respectively). Implications: These students appear to have greater skill when communicating with physicians than with patients. Further evaluation of these data needs to be undertaken to determine the cause of such differences and variability in the lay encounters.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: Objectives: Describe and evaluate a required two-week new student orientation. Methods: A 1 credit hour, two-week new pharmacy student orientation was offered 2 weeks before the start of the academic year. The course covered: Professional Expectations, Involvement, and Organization, Technology Training, Initial Assessments, Overview of Experiential Education, preparation for the White Coat Ceremony. Course objectives were to provide a broad foundation of the general expectations of the profession and school of pharmacy, assist in the identification of the major parts of ethical dilemmas, and determine basic Top 200 drug, medical terminology, and HIPAA knowledge. Students participated in a professional organizational showcase and workshops designed to explore issues related to advocacy, citizenship, and activism. Each activity was designed to support the introduction of the professional culture sought within the School’s professionalization plan. Results: Students completed pre and post surveys for each activity and for the course. Surveys revealed two major themes - students felt well informed and prepared to meet the expectations of their first year and confirmed that being involved in the profession is an expectation of the program. Greater than 90% stated their experience with the orientation was "very satisfied" to "extremely satisfied". Implications: A two-week new student orientation assisted the school in laying the foundation of a professional culture prior to the official start of the academic year. Future incorporation of pharmacy students will assist in the growth of the mentorship program, leadership development, the professional socialization process, and student engagement in the programmatic offerings of the School.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In tying together general issues of subnational comparative analysis and the study of specific empirical phenomena in China, this paper examines: 1) which aspects of subnational comparative analysis used elsewhere can usefully inform the study of Chinese politics in general; 2) how one particular form of subnational comparison can help us understand the unfolding dynamics of Chinese state sector lay-offs; and 3) how this form of subnational comparative analysis might usefully be extended back into other areas of the wider field of comparative politics in a way that refines and sharpens the practice of subnational comparison elsewhere.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: . This thesis will explore how American society defines Attention Deficit Disorder as an illness and how changing definitions of childhood and child behavior along with the availability of diagnostic tools on the Internet reinforce both the medicalization of behavior and the pharmaceutical treatment to “normalize” behavior. The author will use interviewing of parents and teachers and a content analysis of information on the Internet to explore these topics.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: No abstract available at this time.