Use of problem based discussion sessions in a first year pharmaceutical dosage forms course

The purpose of this project was to investigate incorporating discussion groups and problem solving in a pharmaceutical dosage forms course in order to demonstrate the important underlying basic pharmaceutical sciences related to the use of dosage forms in pharmacy practice. Students were divided into sections and each section was divided into two subgroups. There were seven discussion topics ranging from teamwork process to the use of specific dosage forms in the provision of pharmaceutical care. Second-year students volunteered as discussion facilitators. Students completed a pre-discussion assignment and maintained a discussion notebook. The subgroups were asked to discuss, present and summarize concepts on the specific topic to the entire sections. Facilitators (faculty members, graduate teaching assistants and second-year professional student volunteers) were provided with a guide to ensure consistency within all the discussion groups. Student group responses were collected, summarized and provided to the students to enable them to prepare for the examinations. Students reported they liked the group discussions which focused on problem solving related to specific dosage forms, as the sessions emphasized the importance of basic pharmaceutical concepts to pharmacy practice. Students also liked the discussion summaries since it demonstrated the diversity of approaches to solve problems and focused their learning efforts. Second-year students as discussion facilitators provided a means for first year students to work with upper classmen and as an additional link to pharmacy practice.