Thinking Like Tree Farmers Not Muffin Makers:  Why We Need a Competency-based Framework at all Levels of Professional Education - Ep 177

Thinking Like Tree Farmers Not Muffin Makers:  Why We Need a Competency-based Framework at all Levels of Professional Education - Ep 177

From ACCP JOURNALS by ACCP JOURNALS

February 16, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 152

About this episode

The episode critiques traditional pharmacy education and advocates for a competency-based framework to enhance professional readiness.

In this episode of the JACCP podcast, Dr. Stuart Haines talks with Dr. Denise Rhoney and Dr. Aleda Chen about their provocative editorial, " Thinking Like Tree Farmers, Not Muffin Makers ". The group critiques the traditional "baker" model of pharmacy education, which relies on standardized time-based ingredients like credit hours and fixed-length residencies. They argue for a shift to Competency-Based Education (CBE), a learner-centered approach in which progression is determined by demonstrated ability rather than by the clock. By comparing educators to tree farmers who must nurture individual growth through longitudinal assessment and feedback, the group explains how this philosophical shift can improve public accountability and ensure every pharmacist is truly ready for practice.

People in this episode

Host: Stuart Haines

Guests: Dr Denise Rhoney, Dr Aleda Chen

Topics covered

  • Competency-Based Education
  • pharmacy education
  • professional education
  • assessment

Keywords

  • tree farmers
  • muffin makers
  • educational models
  • public accountability

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Thinking Like Tree Farmers Not Muffin Makers

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