What the study found
The study found that student pharmacists perceived Intention/Reflection practice as helpful for learning, confidence, and professional development during advanced pharmacy practice experiences, or APPEs, after COVID-19. The authors describe the practice as a structured way to support engagement, motivation, metacognitive growth, and self-awareness.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that integrating Intention/Reflection into experiential pharmacy education may enhance student engagement and help advance best practices for post-pandemic pharmacy training. The study suggests this approach may support learning experiences across diverse APPE settings.
What the researchers tested
This was a retrospective qualitative study of 20 student pharmacists from two U.S. colleges who completed APPE elective rotations with Intention/Reflection activities. The researchers analyzed responses to five structured Intention/Reflection prompts using thematic analysis by two independent researchers with qualitative data analysis software.
What worked and what didn't
Four themes were identified from the responses: two from intention and two from reflection. The intention themes described discomfort as a catalyst for confidence, engagement, leadership growth, and adaptive leadership, while the reflection themes described reflection as a catalyst for professional learning, engagement, focused growth, and self-awareness.
What to keep in mind
The summary provided does not include detailed limitations beyond the small sample from two U.S. colleges and the focus on APPE elective rotations. The findings are based on student pharmacists' qualitative responses, so they reflect perceptions reported in this study.
Key points
- Twenty student pharmacists from two U.S. colleges were included.
- Participants completed five structured Intention/Reflection prompts during APPE elective rotations.
- Thematic analysis identified four themes across intention and reflection responses.
- Students described gains in confidence, engagement, leadership growth, learning, and self-awareness.
- The authors conclude that Intention/Reflection may enhance engagement in experiential pharmacy education.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Intention/reflection practice improved student pharmacist engagement after COVID-19
- Authors:
- Kerry K. Fierke, Gardner A. Lepp, Alina Cernasev
- Institutions:
- Tennessee Department of Health, University of Minnesota, Duluth, University of Minnesota, Duluth
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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