Preceptor's Grading Scale Preference for Student Pharmacy Practice Experience and Assessment of the Common Grading Scale among Us Schools of Pharmacy

Leanne Honeycutt Varner, Remya Radhakrishnan, Brent L. Rollins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

<p> <h3 id="x-x-x-x-sect0010"> Introduction </h3> <p id="x-x-x-x-sp0045"> The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of preceptors&rsquo; grading scale preferences for introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE/APPE). Secondarily, assess if there is a common grading scale for IPPE/APPE rotations among US pharmacy programs. <h3 id="x-x-x-x-sect0015"> Methods </h3> <p id="x-x-x-x-sp0050"> An online, 22-item survey questionnaire was sent to all preceptors at a fully accredited school of pharmacy. The survey instrument assessed preceptor attitudes toward the effectiveness of the primary grading scales, letter or pass/no pass. Demographic variables were also assessed, including gender, age, practice setting, years as a preceptor, and annual number of students precepted. In addition, a phone survey was conducted with all pharmacy programs in the United States at the time to assess grading scales used for introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE/APPEs). <h3 id="x-x-x-x-sect0020"> Results </h3> <p id="x-x-x-x-sp0055"> Three hundred sixty-five preceptors responded to the survey questionnaire. Overall, preceptors had more favorable attitudes toward the letter grade system as opposed to the pass/no pass system, and when asked specifically which they preferred, approximately 70% preferred the letter grading system. The phone survey of different pharmacy programs grading systems revealed most use the letter grading system. Fifty-six of 87 responding schools (64%) reported use of a letter grading system, compared to 26 of 87 (30%) using a pass/no pass system and five using &lsquo;other variations&rsquo; (6%). <h3 id="x-x-x-x-sect0025"> Conclusion </h3> <p id="x-x-x-x-sp0060"> The majority of preceptors preferred the letter grading system over the pass/no pass system. Familiarity with this system was a contributing factor, as a significant number of preceptors preferred the grading scale they had as a pharmacy student &ndash; the letter grade system. This trend mimics current pharmacy school's grading system, as approximately 2/3 currently use a letter grading system to evaluate IPPE/APPEs. </p> </p> </p> </p></p>
Original languageAmerican English
JournalCurrents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning
StatePublished - Nov 3 2017

Keywords

  • IPPE
  • APPE
  • Grading
  • Preceptor
  • Preference

Disciplines

  • Education
  • Medicine and Health Sciences

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