Title
An Elective Course in Women’s Health Issues
Publisher
University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy
Abstract
Purpose: To develop, implement, and evaluate an elective course for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum that provides
students with a comprehensive overview of women’s health across the lifespan and exposes them to social and economic issues that
impact women’s health. Case Study: At the time of this writing, the class has been delivered 3 times to a total of 56 students.
Students read and discussed (both in-class and online) timely articles in women’s health issues on topics including sex-based biology;
women in clinical trials; maternal and child health; women’s health coverage and access to care in the United States; gender and
health communication; abuse and the role of healthcare professionals; and international issues in women’s health and women’s
rights. Students completed a pre- and post-test; developed seminar presentations regarding women’s health issues; wrote reflective
essays about the course; and designed and implemented health promotion projects for National Women’s Health Week (NWHW). At
the end of the course, the number of correct answers on the post-test significantly improved from the pre-test (p<0.001). Through
anonymous course evaluations, students indicated that the assignments fulfilled the learning objectives (mean 4.68 on a 5-point
Likert scale) and the exercises were useful in helping their understanding of the material (mean 4.66 on a 5-point Likert scale). Over
500 women from the campus and community participated in the NWHW projects. Implications: An elective course was designed to
educate pharmacy students regarding women’s health issues and to provide students with an opportunity to perform community
outreach.
Previously Published Citation
Innov. Pharm. (2013); 4(120): 1-10
Suggested Citation
DiPietro, Natalie A..
(2014).
An Elective Course in Women’s Health Issues.
University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy.
Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy,
https://hdl.handle.net/11299/171547.