TY - JOUR
AU - T. D. Steuber
AU - D. J. Trujillo
AU - E. L. Kleppinger
AU - M. R. Andrus
AU - N. A. Pinner
AU - L. B. Hornsby
AU - E. K. McCoy
AU - L. S. Eiland
A1 - 
AB - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of curricular content reduction in a 3-year integrated course sequence in a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum on student-reported mental and physical health. METHODS: A 3-hour, 5-days-a-week integrated course sequence spanning 3 years of a curriculum was transitioned to a 3-hour, 4-days-a-week course, representing 207 h of reduced in-class time. After implementation, first- through third-year student pharmacists were asked to complete a 23-item voluntary survey regarding the impact of the curricular change on their mental and physical health, how they spent time on the non-Integrated Learning Experience course day, and additional demographic and social characteristics. Respondents were asked to participate in follow-up focus group sessions to elucidate the findings of the survey. RESULTS: A total of 197 students (50.3% response rate) representing the classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 responded to the survey, and 15 students participated in 1 of 4 focus group sessions. Most students indicated a preference for the 4-days-a-week over the 5-days-a-week course and reported improvement in mental and physical health during the 4-days-a-week course. Most students used the additional time to study or complete assignments, while many third-year students used it to work, but many also used it to complete personal errands and activities, which led to a positive impact on their well-being. CONCLUSION: Student self-reported mental and physical health improved with a reduction in curricular content by 1 course session (3 h) per week.
AD - Auburn University, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL, USA.; Auburn University, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Mobile, AL, USA.; Auburn University, Harrison College of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL, USA. Electronic address: eilanls@auburn.edu.
AN - 39924088
BT - Am J Pharm Educ
C5 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities
CP - 3
DA - Mar
DO - 10.1016/j.ajpe.2025.101367
DP - NLM
ET - 20250207
IS - 3
JF - Am J Pharm Educ
LA - eng
N2 - OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of curricular content reduction in a 3-year integrated course sequence in a Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum on student-reported mental and physical health. METHODS: A 3-hour, 5-days-a-week integrated course sequence spanning 3 years of a curriculum was transitioned to a 3-hour, 4-days-a-week course, representing 207 h of reduced in-class time. After implementation, first- through third-year student pharmacists were asked to complete a 23-item voluntary survey regarding the impact of the curricular change on their mental and physical health, how they spent time on the non-Integrated Learning Experience course day, and additional demographic and social characteristics. Respondents were asked to participate in follow-up focus group sessions to elucidate the findings of the survey. RESULTS: A total of 197 students (50.3% response rate) representing the classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 responded to the survey, and 15 students participated in 1 of 4 focus group sessions. Most students indicated a preference for the 4-days-a-week over the 5-days-a-week course and reported improvement in mental and physical health during the 4-days-a-week course. Most students used the additional time to study or complete assignments, while many third-year students used it to work, but many also used it to complete personal errands and activities, which led to a positive impact on their well-being. CONCLUSION: Student self-reported mental and physical health improved with a reduction in curricular content by 1 course session (3 h) per week.
PY - 2025
SN - 0002-9459
SP - 101367
ST - Impact of Curricular Content Reduction on Student-Reported Mental and Physical Health
T1 - Impact of Curricular Content Reduction on Student-Reported Mental and Physical Health
T2 - Am J Pharm Educ
TI - Impact of Curricular Content Reduction on Student-Reported Mental and Physical Health
U1 - Education & Workforce; Healthcare Disparities
U3 - 10.1016/j.ajpe.2025.101367
VL - 89
VO - 0002-9459
Y1 - 2025
ER -