A Diabetes Camp as the Service-Learning Capstone Experience in a Diabetes Concentration

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of a service-learning advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in a diabetes camp to improve student confidence in diabetes knowledge and related skills

Design

Pharmacy students assisted medical staff during a week-long diabetes camp for children. Students participated in all aspects of diabetes care, as well as wrote pre- and post-camp reflection papers, completed online quizzes, presented an educational training session, and completed pre- and post-camp survey instruments.

Assessment

Students'' confidence in their diabetes knowledge and patient care skills increased as a result of participating in the camp.

Conclusion

A diabetes camp APPE improved students'' confidence in their knowledge and ability to manage diabetes, and allowed them to gain experience working with an interdisciplinary team in a unique real-world environment.