A Specialized Management Rotation for Dual PharmD/MBA Candidates

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 2003 by Latif, David A, Wachsmann, Howard O Jr

There are several caveats to this investigation. First, the experiences written about were those of a small group of students from one small southeastern school of pharmacy. Therefore, the results obtained cannot be generalized to different types of schools in different regions of the United States.

A second caveat pertains to the mean evaluation scores preceptors gave their students. Specifically, they were all quite high, with minimal standard deviations. This might suggest 2 things. First, that the best pharmacy students were admitted into the MBA program and they all performed at a high level. Or, second, the preceptors had a difficult time discerning optimal management performance from mediocre or suboptimal performance. Further research is needed to answer this question.

A third limitation is that, because of the design of this study, causality cannot be inferred. Since there was no baseline with which to compare students' managerial skills, it was impossible to conclude that the rotation experience enhanced students' managerial skills.

Despite these caveats, this investigation described one way in which schools of pharmacy can provide students who are interested in management with an avenue in which to practice what is learned in the classroom.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper described the development, implementation, and assessment of a unique 8-week management experiential rotation designed for students enrolled in the PharmD/MBA program at a private southeastern school of pharmacy. The rotation experience appears to be beneficial in bridging the gap between learning about management skills and demonstrating them.

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David A. Latif, PhD,1 and Howard O. Wachsmann Jr, PharmD1

1 Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University

Corresponding Author: David A. Latif, PhD. Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601. Tel: 540-678-4341. Fax: 540-665-1283. E-mail: dlatif@su.edu.