COVID-19 and Academic Pharmacy: Navigating Uncharted Territory

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic with the associated social distancing measures has imposed unprecedented challenges on educational institutions around the globe. Schools and colleges of pharmacy across the United States have responded by offering distance learning options and are designing contingency plans to maintain operations. The pandemic has impacted all aspects of pharmacy education including didactic instruction, experiential education, interprofessional education, cocurricular activities, community service, scholarship, professional service, well-being, resilience, recruitment, admissions, and celebrating student success. Pharmacy faculty, staff, and students are subsequently trying to navigate a rapidly changing environment by taking advantage of opportunities as they arise while mitigating many threats that are affecting their professional and personal lives. Pharmacy faculty will need to remain flexible, embrace change, and create innovative solutions to help students progress through the curriculum while maintaining their contributions to society. Students will need to find creative ways to remain engaged with their courses and cocurricular activities.