SWOSU Doctor of Pharmacy Programmatic Learning Objectives (PLOs)
Adopted December 2014
Domain 1 – Foundational Knowledge
1. Learner (Learner) - Develop, integrate, and apply knowledge from the foundational sciences (i.e.,
pharmaceutical, social/behavioral/administrative, and clinical sciences) to evaluate the scientific literature,
explain drug action, solve therapeutic problems, and advance population health and patient-centered care.
 Develop and demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in pharmaceutical,
social/behavioral/administrative, and clinical sciences.
 Integrate knowledge from foundational sciences to explain how specific drugs or drug classes work and
evaluate their potential value in individuals and populations.
 Apply knowledge in foundational sciences to solve therapeutic problems and advance patient-centered
care and population based care.
 Critically analyze scientific literature related to drugs and disease to enhance clinical decision making.
Domain 2 – Essentials for Practice and Care
1. Patient-centered care (Caregiver) - Provide patient-centered care as the medication expert (collect and
interpret evidence, prioritize, formulate assessments and recommendations, implement, monitor and adjust
plans, and document activities).
 Collect and interpret subjective and objective evidence related to patient, medications, allergies/adverse
reactions, and disease, by performing patient assessment (including physical assessment) from
chart/electronic health records, pharmacist records and patient/family interviews.
 Prioritize patient needs and formulate evidence based care plans, assessments, and recommendations.
 Implement, monitor, document patient care related activities and adjust care plan as needed.
2. Medication use systems management (Manager) - Manage patient healthcare needs using human, financial,
technological, and physical resources to optimize the safety and efficacy of medication use systems.
 Compare and contrast the components of typical medication use systems in different pharmacy practice
settings.
 Identify and utilize technology, human, financial, and physical resources to optimize the medication use
system.
 Apply standards, guidelines, best practices, and established processes related to safe and effective
medication use.
 Utilize continuous quality improvement techniques in the medication use process.
3. Health and wellness (Promoter) - Design prevention, intervention, and educational strategies for
individuals and communities to manage chronic disease and improve health and wellness.
 Provide prevention, intervention, and educational strategies for individuals and communities to improve
health and wellness.
 Participate with interprofessional healthcare team members in the management of, and health promotion
for, all patients.
 Evaluate personal, social, economic, and environmental conditions to maximize health and wellness.
4. Population-based care (Provider) - Describe how population-based care influences patient-centered care
and influences the development of practice guidelines and evidence-based best practices.
 Assess the healthcare status and needs of a targeted patient population.
 Identify population-based interventions intended to promote evidence-based patient-centered care.
Domain 3 - Approach to Practice and Care
1. Problem Solving (Problem Solver) – Identify problems; explore and prioritize potential strategies; and
design, implement, and evaluate a viable solution.
 Efficiently and effectively solve problems by applying a structured problem solving process, such as the
five-step problem-solving model.
2. Educator (Educator) – Educate all audiences by determining the most effective and enduring ways to
impart information and assess understanding.
 Using a systematic instructional design model provide effective, appropriate patient education.
 Coordinate educational efforts with other healthcare providers, when appropriate, to ensure a consistent,
comprehensive, and team-based encounter.
 Participate in the development of community-based activities that promote public health, safety, and
wellness.
3. Patient Advocacy (Advocate) - Assure that patients’ best interests are represented.
 Encourage patients to take responsibility for and control of their health and healthcare.
 Assist all patients in obtaining the necessary resources, services, medications, devices, and care in a
timely and cost-effective manner.
 Act as a public health advocate by identifying and providing patients with current health-care
information.
4. Interprofessional collaboration (Collaborator) – Actively participate and engage as a healthcare team
member by demonstrating mutual respect, understanding, and values to meet patient care needs.
 Work with individuals of other professions to maintain a climate of mutual respect and shared values.
 Use the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address
the healthcare needs of the patients and populations served.
 Communicate with patients, families, communities, and other health professionals in a responsive and
responsible manner that supports a team approach to the maintenance of health and the treatment of
disease.
 Apply relationship-building values and principles of team dynamics to perform effectively in different
team roles to plan and deliver patient-/population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective,
and equitable.
5. Cultural sensitivity (Includer) - Recognize social determinants of health to diminish disparities and
inequities in access to quality care.
 Demonstrate an attitude that is respectful of different cultures. Display sensitivity to patients’ cultural
perspectives that influence health and healthcare beliefs.
 Assess a patient’s basic literacy as well as health literacy and modify communication strategies to meet
the patient’s needs.
 Safely and appropriately incorporate patients’ cultural beliefs and practices into health and wellness care
plans.
 Recognize the impact of social and cultural factors on health disparities, health behaviors, and beliefs.
6. Communication (Communicator) – Effectively communicate verbally and nonverbally when interacting
with an individual, group, or organization.
 Using appropriate cross cultural communication, interview patients using an organized structure,
specific questioning techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing), and medical terminology adapted for
the audience.
 Effectively use active listening skills during all interpersonal interactions.
 Effectively use available technology and resources to assist with communication.
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While maintaining patient confidentiality, clearly, concisely, and accurately document patient care
activities using appropriate medical terminology.
Interact with technicians and other support staff to develop and maintain a positive work environment.
Domain 4 – Personal and Professional Development
1. Self-awareness (Self-aware) – Examine and reflect on personal knowledge, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases,
motivation, and emotions that could enhance or limit personal and professional growth.
 Identify, create, implement, evaluate, and modify plans for continuing personal and professional
development.
 Attain recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in self-directed and life-long learning.
 Strive for accuracy and precision by displaying a willingness to recognize, correct, and learn from
errors.
2. Leadership (Leader) - Demonstrate responsibility for creating and achieving shared goals, regardless of
position.
 Identify the qualities and practices of leadership.
 Develop relationships, value diverse opinions, and understand individual strengths and weaknesses to
promote a culture of teamwork.
3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Innovator) - Engage in innovative activities by using creative thinking to
envision better ways of accomplishing professional goals.
 Attain and apply innovation skills to develop new ideas and approaches to advance the profession.
 Demonstrate decision-making and problem-solving skills to overcome challenges and barriers to
improvement.
4. Professionalism (Professional) - Exhibit behaviors and values that are consistent with the trust given to the
profession by patients, other healthcare providers, and society.
 Deliver patient-centered care in a manner that is legal and ethical.