The Role of Consumerism in Pharmacy Education

DOI

10.1016/j.ajpe.2024.100708

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2024

Publication Title

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Volume

88

Issue

6

ISSN

29459

Keywords

Academic capitalism, Consumerism, Customer service, Student-customer relationship

Abstract

The notion of consumerism and that students are customers of pharmacy colleges was explored by proponents and opponents of the idea. First, a working definition of a “customer” in pharmacy education is pondered with respect to the roles and responsibilities of students and schools/colleges of pharmacy. Second, the pros and cons of “student-centered” education are considered in the light of students and their families being consumers of the educational experience. Third, the duality of student-centered education is discussed including student engagement/disengagement in their learning, professional/unprofessional behaviors, and shared/individual responsibilities. Lastly, learning and teaching environment dynamics are discerned when higher education becomes more student-centric and how that may affect the overall outcome of the student and the goals of pharmacy educational programs.

Open Access

Gold

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