A Review of Capstones that Synthesize and Apply Knowledge and Skills in Pharmacy Education

Objective. The purpose of this study was to explore capstones in pharmacy education with the broad aim of better understanding how capstones are designed, used, and sustained. Capstones were defined as culminating experiences that required students to apply their knowledge and skills, and demonstrate their ability to integrate, extend, and apply multiple components of their academic experience. Methods. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase one was a mapping review, which provided insight into the landscape of pharmacy capstone designs, including the purpose they served and their associated outcomes. Phase two consisted of follow-up interviews to explore the current status and sustainability of those capstones. Qualitative methods with multiple coders were used to analyze the data. Results. Five distinct purposes for capstones were identified: Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPE) preparedness; pharmacotherapy education; research-focused experiences; reflection on pharmacy school experiences; and immersive learning through an external organization. Wide variability was found in the design, purpose, and outcomes. Study authors described their capstones in terms of the viability, feasibility, desirability, and challenges faced. Conclusion. Capstones can play an important role in assessing student progress and practice readiness in pharmacy education. The findings of this study can be used to help schools design capstones that are effective and sustainable.