A study is reported of the use of simulations as a method of assessing pharmacy doctoral candidates' efficiency of information retrieval, recognition of therapeutic incompatibilities, recommendation of alternatives, communication skills, familiarity with drug information resources, and apparent knowledge base. (MSE)

Issues relating to identifying pathways whereby pharmacy practioners can obtain additional training and experience leading to an advanced professional degree or certificate are identified. A scheme for assessing the prior learning of external degree or certificate candidates is suggested. (MLW)

A study of nonresponse bias for surveys of interest in external Doctor of Pharmacy degree programs found that surveys relying on only one mailing will likely provide biased results and suggested a division of respondents into three groups according to their interest in the program. (MSE)

A study aimed at determining the perceived needs of a selected sample of Iowa pharmacists for externally available advanced study is discussed. Eight percent of the population proposed to pursue advanced degrees, while another 6 percent desired to participate in the educational opportunities without pursuing a degree. (Author/MLW)

Survey data were collected from Illinois pharmacists to assess interest in an PharmD program. A discriminant analysis showed how employer support, reasons for participation, personal commitment and demographic characteristics contribute to explaining group variance of likely participants. It was found that external program design factors would be…

An interest survey sent to 2400 pharmacists revealed sufficient interest in courses for credit. A course in therapeutics of major diseases, video-taped on campus and extended to pharmacists at five sites via the statewide higher education video network, is discussed. The majority of pharmacists expressed interest in future courses. (Author/MLW)

Schools of Pharmacy, it is suggested, should be responsive to practitioner needs by providing a mechanism through which pharmacists may earn a PharmD degree with minimal disruption. The degree should be part-time, off-campus, and provide a means to grant partial credit for prior knowledge and experience. (Author/MLW)

Practitioner interest in part time postgraduate, off-campus study leading to a PharmD degree was assessed by administering a non-self-selective survey to 202 practitioners attending continuing education programs in six geographic regions in Kentucky. A verbal and written probable program description was presented prior to the survey. (Author/MLW)

A survey of South Carolina pharmacists investigated the desired entry level pharmacy degree, years of study required, perceived adequacy of the respondents' current education, current pursuit of credit courses and continuing education programs, and interest in obtaining advanced degrees. Results suggest an off-campus program would be…

Application of experiences in adult and general education to experiential and prior learning in PharmD program development is discussed. Included in the discussion are definitions, program examples, contrasts with traditional programs, quality control procedures, program evaluation, and cost considerations. (MSE)