Teaching and Learning Pharmacy Services: A Teaching Method for Developing Competencies for Patient-Centered Care Through Experiential Learning in a Real Workplace

Introduction: Considering the transformation process that has been occurring in pharmacy education and the urgent need to address social health needs, proposals of teaching methods for the development of competences and skills in patient-centered care have become an issue worth discussing. The study describes and discusses the method that has been used for developing of these competencies through experiential learning in a university pharmacy in Brazil. Educational Activity: The Teaching and Learning of Pharmacy Services (TLPS) method encompasses 2 components: theoretical-reflexive one (developing protocols covering the patient care process) and practical-reflexive one (using the protocols with real patients). TLPS connects the 2 components in a way to enable students to acquire and apply theoretical knowledge for a comprehensive assessment of the patients’ needs and understand how clinical reasoning and decision-making take place. The assessment process is performed, by the supervisor, which evaluates the behaviors necessary for good professional performance. Discussion: The active learning methodologies have been effectively used in the classroom as a way to stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical reasoning. However, experiential learning is considered a central point in the learning process and essential for knowledge building. Thus, the method herein described is shown as an innovative tool to promote self-learning, consolidation and interrelation of the acquired knowledge, easier identification of patients’ needs, normalization of behaviors, and improvement in the quality of care.