RESOURCES FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
- Practice Sites
A myriad of practice sites are used for experiential learning, including community and hospital pharmacies; pharmaceutical care centers within ambulatory clinics, managed care and long-term care settings; as well as alternative sites. Qualified preceptors and their practice sites are an extremely important and valued resource. The student’s attitude and conduct at a site reflects not only on themselves as individuals, but also on the School. Students must treat these resources with respect.
During the first three years of study, many, but not all, practice sites are within a reasonable distance from the University of Pittsburgh. However, particularly in the P4 year, sites located inside as well as outside of Allegheny County are used to provide students with productive environments for mastering pharmacy practice skills. Students may be required to do rotations at sites greater than one hour driving distance from the University of Pittsburgh. All introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) and required (non-elective) advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) must be done in the United States, or its territories and possessions. Elective APPEs may be done outside the United States if approved by the School of Pharmacy.
- Preceptors
The relationship that the student establishes with the practicing pharmacist or other health professional who agrees to precept their work, is a critical factor in the quality of the experiential learning experience.
- Reference Materials
Throughout a student’s program of studies, a variety of reference sources will be used. Some of these will be located in the practice sites where students are gaining experience; others will be found in the University libraries; still others may be from textbooks or databases used for other classes.