2009 Award for Excellence in Assessment Winner
Objectives: To create a valid assessment tool to evaluate the readiness of pharmacy students for advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). Methods: The Triple Jump Examination (TJE), created by the faculty of the College of Pharmacy, Touro University – California, is tailored to the four-year, two-plus-two curriculum of the college. The TJE consists of three parts: 1) a written, case-based closed-book exam, followed by 2) a written, case-based open-book exam, and 3) an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The TJE is administered at the end of each four academic semesters. Progression of students to APPEs is dependent on achieving a preset minimum cumulative (weighted average) score in the four consecutive TJE exams. Results: The predictive utility of the examination was demonstrated by a very strong correlation between the cumulative TJE scores and the preceptor grades in the first year (P3) of APPE rotations (r = 0.60, p>0.001). Reliability of the TJE was shown by strong correlations among the four successive TJE exams. A survey probing the usefulness of TJE indicated acceptance by both students and faculty. Conclusion: The TJE program is an effective tool for the assessment of pharmacy students’ readiness for the experiential years. In addition, the TJE provides guidance for students to achieve preparedness for APPE.