Cooperative Learning in the Disease Management Decision-Making Process: Use of Group Projects in an Outcomes Assessment Course
George E. MacKinnon IIIpages: 49 - 59
- DOI: 10.1300/J060v08n01_05
- Version of record first published: 09Aug2000
Abstract:
Pharmacy graduates need knowledge and skills beyond pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and pharmacotherapeutics to participate in the management of medication therapies for populations of patients in diverse settings in the managed health care environment. The Outcomes Assessment in Pharmacy course was designed to introduce students to the methods and tools used within managed care to document, evaluate, and improve upon the medication use process in achieving defined therapeutic outcomes. Students completed group projects where they were provided a real-life decision-making situation involving several therapeutic interventions (including both drug and nondrug therapies) for a specific condition or disease. Students were required to use decision analysis techniques and analyses in arriving at their conclusions. This use of group projects in the described course appeared to have assisted students in accomplishing the assigned course objectives.