(470) Growth Mindset and Clinical Reasoning in Student Pharmacist Experiential Education

Objective : To explore the correlation between growth mindset and clinical reasoning (CR) among student pharmacists in experiential education.

Methods: A novel questionnaire was developed and validated to measure mindset using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA, CFA). The questionnaire was based on growth mindset theory and adapted to pharmacy education with input from student pharmacists via focus groups in February 2023. Inductive qualitative analysis was used to identify themes for inclusion in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was pilot tested in March 2023 with a 10% convenience sample of second-year students and refined as needed. A Script Concordance Test (SCT) was developed to measure student pharmacist CR skills. The mindset questionnaire and SCT were administered via one survey to measure growth mindset and CR among students enrolled in medication therapy management rotations across three pharmacy institutions: UTHSC, Creighton University, Ohio Northern University. Survey data was analyzed using Chi-squared tests, t-tests, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between mindset and SCT scores.

Results: Eight students participated in focus groups. Qualitative analysis yielded a 61-item mindset questionnaire. 46 students completed the initial questionnaire in March 2023. EFA resulted in seven factors, and 13 questions were eliminated before dissemination of the revised survey. 170 students completed the final survey between April and November 2023. According to CFA, the mindset questionnaire demonstrated high validity and reliability. There was an observed positive correlation between mindset and SCT CR scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: A growth mindset may help students develop CR skills and adapt in experiential education environments. The findings and instruments developed and validated throughout this pilot study may be used for future application and scalability.