Nagy MW, Modlin A, Margolis A. Evaluation of a statewide pharmacy student writing club program: Opportunities to enhance professional writing skills.
CURRENTS IN PHARMACY TEACHING & LEARNING 2022;
14:1381-1386. [PMID:
36127277 DOI:
10.1016/j.cptl.2022.09.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Skills gained by writing a scholarly manuscript coincide with graduation expectations prior to matriculation into practice. A partnership between The Journal of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin and four affiliated pharmacy schools developed student writing clubs (SWC) to fill this need. The objectives of this project were to explore the structure of SWCs and evaluate the experiences of participants.
METHODS
Two investigator-designed, voluntary, anonymous surveys were distributed to each school. A survey for pharmacy students assessed motivations for participating within a SWC, impact on skills, and suggestions for improvement. The second survey to the SWC faculty advisors explored programmatic structure.
RESULTS
Of forty student respondents, most SWC participants felt comfortable with each step of the writing process. Participants were motivated by manuscript publication opportunity (88%), improvement of writing skills (80%), and the addition to their curriculum vitae (60%). Students suggested process improvements including better communication on deadlines, more connections to writing resources, and developing writing workshops for guidance on professional writing. Barriers to participation included unclear expectations (60%) and not feeling prepared or skilled enough (53%). Most importantly, both students and faculty perceived the SWC at each program as a skill-building extracurricular activity that brings value to student pharmacist development.
CONCLUSIONS
Manuscript preparation and publication within a structured environment, such as a SWC, is a valuable skill-building opportunity. Creation of a centralized writing workshop will provide guidance for participants throughout the manuscript process.
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