An Observational Study on the Impact of an Elective Course in Enhancing Multiple Dimensions of Pharmacy Student Wellness

College

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Department

Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences

Publication Date

4-2025

Abstract

Objective: This observational study explored the impact of a comprehensive semester-long wellness elective, based on a reproducible framework, on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' self-ratings of wellness dimensions before and after taking the course.

Methods: A wellness elective was designed based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Wellness Dimensions Guide using all 8 Dimensions of Wellness. 24 students completed the elective in Spring 2024 and 19-item surveys were conducted in week 1 and week 15 of the course assessing students' perceived improvement in applying wellness strategies to their lives.

Results: Students' overall satisfaction with their wellness increased after the course from a 2.7 to a 3.5, a moderate effect based on Cohen's d scores. Students had increases in each of the 8 wellness domains, with large effects in Social, Financial and Occupational Wellness, and moderate effects in Emotional, Physical and Environmental Wellness. Comparing individual data, at least 50 % of the students had scores of their self-reported level of wellness improve in each of the 8 domains. Student agreement with a statement about knowing steps they can take to improve their wellness had a large effect and importantly, students reported a moderate positive effect on their self-reported mental health in the post course survey.

Conclusion: Implementation of a semester long elective based on the 8 SAMHSA Wellness Dimensions resulted in improvement in students' self-ratings of wellness. This study contributes to the identification of evidence-based approaches to feasibly incorporate wellness initiatives within the pharmacy curriculum.

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