Presenter:
Kabir Bhalla
Authors:
Kabir Bhalla, Alexander D. Smith, Jennifer I. Brown
Poster Abstract:
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe a student-led process for exploring opportunities to enhance entrepreneurial mindset development within the UBC PharmD program
2. Identify educational approaches that may help pharmacy students develop confidence, resilience, risk-taking, innovation-oriented attitudes and behaviours
3. Discuss the potential value of co-curricular developmental activities designed to complement traditional pharmacy education
Problem Addressed
As pharmacy practice evolves, pharmacists are increasingly expected to contribute through innovation, entrepreneurship, and non-traditional career pathways. While PharmD programs provide strong clinical preparation, opportunities to develop the confidence, resilience, and mindset required for emerging opportunities may be limited. Within our program, students identified a lack of low-stakes opportunities to explore innovation, risk-taking, and entrepreneurial thinking outside formal assessment. This project explored how co-curricular experiences could address this gap.
What Was Done
Two PharmD students led a curricular exploration under faculty mentorship. Activities included an environmental scan of pharmacy programs, a literature review of entrepreneurship and innovation in health professions education, and a student survey examining perceptions, interests, and perceived developmental needs. Findings informed recommendations for a voluntary series of workshops and activities complementing the formal curriculum. Students served as co-designers of the proposed innovation.
Significance of the Learning
Findings informed the development of The Compass Series, a proposed co-curricular initiative focused on fostering innovation, resilience, risk-taking, and entrepreneurial thinking among PharmD students. The project generated recommendations regarding program structure, content, and implementation, which may be of value to health professions programs seeking to support innovation, adaptability, and career development through experiences beyond traditional course-based learning.
