Preparing graduates for professional practice - integrating communication skills development into a Pharmacy course

The School of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia has tackled the challenge of developing a large body of knowledge and professional expertise in a diverse student population concurrently with their ability to communicate effectively in professional practice. This paper describes the process by which communication skills development has been embedded into the curriculum across the four years of the course. It includes a discussion of the key elements of successful embedding of generic skills development into professional courses and the roles and responsibilities of various staff members in this process.

A Communication Skills Portfolio, which assists students and staff to map, track and record the development of communication skills throughout a course is one element. A Graduate Qualities framework which can be used to inform the process of embedding communication skills development into teaching, learning and assessment throughout the four years of the course is another. Both involve academic staff and students recognising the importance of, and accepting responsibility for the development of professional communication skills as well as professional knowledge prior to graduation.

Academic staff, professional development and student support staff and students all have roles to play in the achievement of graduate outcomes. What these have been and how the different groups have worked together towards common goals is described in this paper.