Students as Partners in Pharmacy Education: SuppleMentors as a Pilot Project of Co- Creating a Digital Learning Platform on Dietary Supplements

Background : The growing use of dietary supplements highlights the need for pharmacists to be well-versed in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Simultaneously, the Students as Partners (SaP) framework has gained traction as a pedagogical approach that promotes engagement, professional development, and student ownership through co-creation. In response to these needs, a pilot student-partnered e-learning platform focused on dietary supplement education, namely SuppleMentors, was developed. Methods : A participatory design approach engaged eight Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) students as project partners to co-create an online learning platform covering six commonly used dietary supplements. The platform incorporated video modules and interactive quizzes. All BPharm students (n = 144) were invited to use the platform. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted, including pre- and post-questionnaires assessing self-perceived knowledge, perceptions of the platform's educational value, and the applicability of the learning model. Open-ended feedback was thematically analyzed to explore student reflections and experiences. Results : Among 103 students who completed both pre- and post-questionnaires, 89.9% reported improved understanding (mean = 4.19 ± 0.74 / 5). Statistically significant gains were observed in perceived applicability of the learning model (p = 0.0008) and perceived educational value (p = 0.0016). Over 80% of students agreed that the platform was valuable for learning and helped address knowledge gaps. Qualitative analysis revealed high satisfaction with usability, content clarity, and flexibility. Student users emphasized the value of interactive and peer-developed content, while student partners reported enhanced skills in research, communication, and digital content creation. Conclusion : This SuppleMentors pilot project demonstrates the feasibility and value of integrating the SaP framework into health professions education through a digitally delivered platform. The project effectively addressed gaps in CAM education on selected dietary supplements while promoting student engagement, skills development, and a sense of ownership. The approach offers a scalable and adaptable model for participatory, self-directed learning that aligns with evolving competencies required in contemporary pharmacy practice.