Philippine E-Journals

Curriculum Review of the BS Pharmacy Program of University of Makati: A Mechanism for Quality Assurance

Maria Fay Nenette M. Cariaga | Justine Marie A. Ocampo | Estela DV Barasi

 

Abstract:

The Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program at the University of Makati (UMak) has existed for ten (10) years now. This study aimed to determine the feedback of stakeholders, particularly students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners on the existing curriculum by finding out: students’ level of achievement of the indicators of the program learning outcomes including the significant difference between level 3 and 4 students; strengths, limitations, recommendations and overall impressions on the program; evolved themes based on these qualitative responses and then, creating an action plan for curriculum enhancement based on the integrated findings. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed-method, sequential exploratory) were used in this study; particularly a review of documents such as the existing and new BS Pharmacy curriculum, pertinent course plans, CHED Memorandum Order 5 s. 2021, focus group discussions, and online survey using the University of Makati’s Pharmacy program learning outcomes questionnaire (Aquino, et al., 2018). Nonrandom methods, purposive and convenience sampling were employed from March to April 2022. Overall, results show that students’ strengths are: storing and dispensing drugs following appropriate guidelines, standards, and specifications; and providing pharmaceutical care including counseling on medicinal use, medication error, and adverse event prevention – medication safety. However, they need to improve on: identifying, compounding, and manufacturing drugs following appropriate guidelines, standards, and specifications. Level 4 students were significantly superior to Level 3 students along practice pharmacy following existing laws, legal and regulatory standards, practicing effective management and leadership skills in all given settings or practice sites, and conducting scientific research methods and processes for the development of noble drugs which are pro-Filipino and for the improvement of existing drug products and the practice of the profession itself. Three (3) main themes were evident, to wit: difficulty or rigor of the program, best features, and opportunities for continuous improvement. Integrated inputs were the bases for the enhancements made to the new curriculum for implementation in AY 2022-2023. Timely curriculum review is pivotal in the quality assurance of education. Direction setting, curricular changes, and enhancements should be strongly built on sound processes and the meaning-making of available data. More extensive research is needed to cover the alumni from 2019 to 2021 and their respective employers.