(230) Impact of a Medical Affairs Course on Student Pharmacists’ Perception and Knowledge of Pharmaceutical Industry

Objective : Evaluating the impact of a self-paced course on pharmacy students’ perception, knowledge, and interest in pursuing a career in pharmaceutical industry at a private, rural institution.

Methods: A series of pharmaceutical industry guest lectures were hosted as part of a Medical Affairs Elective Course, covering various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry with a focus on the medical affairs sector through an external certificate program. The sessions provided practical advice on securing positions in the pharmaceutical industry and obtaining post-graduate fellowships, aiming to prepare students for professional success. The educational intervention included pre- and post-course assignments to assess and reflect on students' knowledge and opinions about the pharmaceutical industry, encouraging self-directed learning and goal-setting for personal and professional development.

Results: A total of 31 responses were collected, revealing a 40% overall improvement in knowledge following the course. Knowledge specific to clinical trials showed the most improvement, increasing from 9.6% to 58.1%. Additionally, students' perceptions shifted positively, viewing pharmaceutical companies as more reliable and having a more favorable opinion of the industry. The most significant positive change in perception was in the response to "I am knowledgeable about the role of a pharmacist in medical affairs/pharmaceutical industry," which increased from 16% to 97% of participants who felt confident in their understanding. Furthermore, 28 students (90%) reported meeting their learning objectives after finishing the course.

Conclusions: An elective pharmacy course incorporating an external certificate program, guest speakers, and reflections is an effective way to improve knowledge and impact perceptions of student pharmacists about pharmaceutical industry at a private, rural institution.