IJPP 2010, 18: 51–57 ß 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation ß 2010 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Received April 13, 2009 Accepted August 4, 2009 DOI 10.1211/ijpp/18.01.0009 ISSN 0961-7671 Correspondence: Candis M. Morello, Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, University of California San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0719, La Jolla, CA 92093-0719, USA. E-mail: candismorello@ucsd.edu Research Paper Enhancing an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience at free medical clinics Candis M. Morello a,b , Renu F. Singh a , Karen J. Chen c and Brookie M. Best a,c,d a University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, b Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare-System, Pharmacy Service (119), San Diego, c Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego and d Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was to assess and improve first-year student pharmacis satisfaction and learning experience in a Student-Run Free Medical Clinic Project (SFMCP providing medical care to an underserved population. Methods Two consecutive classes of first-year student pharmacists at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences participated in an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) at the UCSD SFMCP This IPPE involved two inter-professional evening free clinics which provide medical care to an underserved population and opportunities for healthcare professional training and service. Year 1 students completed a self-assessment survey instrument and year 2 stu completed the survey instrument plus a new competency checklist tool.Average scores from the self-assessment survey instrument were compared between years 1 and 2. Key findings Initial survey results showed that students felt the SFMCP was worthwhile; however, they did not experience enough involvement in the patient assistance program or non-pharmacy-related clinic activities. After the competency checklist tool implemen tion,overallstudent pharmacist satisfaction of the SFMCP IPPE remained high (88%), participation in identified weak areas improved and students agreed that the tool helped focus their clinic experience. Conclusions Areas of improvement were identified with the survey instrument and the competency checklist tool increased achievement of learning objectives. Overall,student pharmacists felt the SFMCP IPPE was a good learning experience. Practising pharmacist can employ these or similar tools in specific practice settings, to evaluate and help ensu that student pharmacists or interns are achieving applicable learning objectives. Keywords competency; experiential education; free medicalclinics; introductory pharmacy practice experience; pharmacy practice Introduction For several decades free medical clinics have answered the call to provide medical care the growing underserved and homeless populations in the USA. While these clinics prov pharmacists and otherhealthcareprofessionals an opportunity to volunteer in their communities, they also offer a rich environment for early health science student educat The AccreditationCouncilfor PharmacyEducation(ACPE) recentlyinstituted Standards 2007, which revised Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) in Guideline 14.4 to include actual practice experiences and direct patient-care responsi- bilities. Moreover, IPPEs must begin early in the curriculum and should correlate didactic course work with clinical practice asan introduction to the profession. [1] An early pharmacy practice experience in a free medical clinic would bridge the needs of our community with the educational requirements set forth for student pharmacists. Founded in 1996, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Student-Run Free Medical Clinic Project (SFMCP) mission is to provide free medical services to those with limited access to healthcare, to providean educational environment for healthcare professionals and students and to develop a sensitivity and awareness to the special ne of the unique population it serves. The SFMCP provides high-quality healthcare to the underserved population in San Diego at local clinic sites. Patients include the homeless, 51