Criteria for excellent precepting

Last category in the study was facilitating behaviors. This involves actions of the preceptors that involved creating the infrastructure that supports learning. Which is what we emphasize greatly in session number three, all the forms and documents and planning that goes in, having a well organized structured rotation. The students commented that the rotation was effectively organized to provide appropriate learning activities. And that takes a lot of pre-planning and organization. They also commented that the preceptor tailors learning opportunities to meet student needs and interests. Sometimes there is an opportunity for a given student based on student interests or opportunities that may exist at the site. To provide unique experiences.

And in this case, the award-winning preceptors were willing to go the extra mile and a range or unique experiences that would be tailored to the students. That they create a respectful and welcoming environment where students feel their work is meaningful and appreciated. It’s back to the idea of respecting students and focusing on making students feel welcome. And part of that is the orientation but part of it carries through the entire rotation. With a culture that values student training and ensures that the experiential training of students blending in with the actions of the pharmacy department. And patient care activities that they blend together well. Such that it’s a synergistic relationship between the teaching students and the caring for patients.

They allow and encourage students to build independent practice skills. That prepares the students to go out on their own after they graduate. To do whatever it is that they’re assigned to do. They’ve got the wherewithal to adapt to various patient care settings. So let’s review what we’ve covered in session 5 about great preceptors and great rotations. The experiential learning principles. We cover the top 10 DNA traits of great preceptors. We cover the top 10 qualities of great rotations. To optimize. This was our final principle for the series of 12 principles was to optimize the quality of rotation, solicit students feedback. This should be done formerly.

Again, I would strongly suggest that aside from any generic rotation evaluation process, that a specific rotation would identify activities and assignments for which to write feedback from students. So that those activities and assignments can be refined or improved. Guaranteed preceptor techniques that we’ve covered in this fifth session. Attitude check. Your preceptor to maintain a positive optimistic upbeat attitude. Not only will the students appreciate this, but co-workers will as well. Same team. Students should not be viewed as adversaries or opponents. The coach and the players are on the same team. And they need to work together if the team is going to be victorious. And 24/7. Preceptors are on display. They’re serving as role models at all times, 24/7.

They need to keep that in mind. They need to demonstrate an example that they want the students to follow. As a role model with the type of professional behavior and clinical services that they want their students to develop. So optimal outcome precepting. This completes the series. Just to review what we’ve covered.

Session 1: the introduction to experiential learning initial basic principles and techniques. And how pharmacy training pharmacy students relates to coaching basketball players. I hope you’ll remember the example of John Wooden and his commitment to excellence without his players being focused on winning but focused on achieving excellence by mastering fundamentals. If we have our students master the fundamentals of pharmacy practice, they’ll be in great shape. And much more able to become excellent practitioners. The importance of GPS precepting that students need to have real-time feedback from preceptors, based on knowing the destination and evaluating where the student is at any point in time. With that feedback been constantly provided to students real-time pinpoint and net positive. Designing a structured, well-organized learning experience.

With forms, policies, procedures, schedules, everything that goes in, to planning an infrastructure that will maintain consistency and excellence throughout the learning experience. Strategies for bringing out the best in every student. Remember we talked about the concept of behavior modification and the idea that positive reward is much more effective in achieving excellence than negative feedback or negative reinforcement. Works much better. Also we covered the idea of addressing conflicts or deficiencies, using the PERF process of communication to ensure that we have clear understanding of mutual perceptions and mutual expectations. And where there are legitimate performance deficiencies, corrective actions are geared toward the diagnosis. Such that the corrective action is the greatest potential for achieving success.

Using the Oz protocol to evaluate whether a performance deficiency is due to a problem with competence, confidence or commitment. And lastly, the traits of great preceptors and great rotations. This last section when you stop and think about it. It’s really a matter of common sense. If you consider the the fundamental principles of precepting students, it’s pretty straightforward in terms of what’s required to guide students to do the best that they can.