Computer Literacy in the Pharmacy Curriculum.

Abstract The current generation of pharmacy students must be prepared to make educated decisions on the selection of hardware and software for both business and professional use. Over the next decade, these graduates will be major decision-makers for computerizing over 38,000 community pharmacies and approximately 80% of all hospital pharmacies. A survey of all U.S. colleges of pharmacy was completed to assess the role of microcomputers in the curriculum. The development of a computer applications course at the University of Nebraska utilizing “hands-on” experience in a microcomputer laboratory equipped with IBM and Apple micros is described. The major objective was to attain a degree of computer literacy among undergraduate professional students, and the course structure and organization are applicable to other health care disciplines.