Physical assessment simulations: a new teaching learning experience for pharm. d curriculum

ABSTRACT

The use of simulation for teaching physical assessment was introduced for the first time in pharmacy curriculum at the College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman UAE. Previous reports have stated that preclinical training with patient simulation sessions may be used to enhance/ facilitate pharmaceutical care and training. To evaluate the teaching and learning outcomes of various simulation techniques used to teach physical assessment skills to Pharm. D students. A total of 42 students belonging to 3 batches of Pharm. D 8[th]semester registered for physical assessment course between 2012 1nd 2014 were provided training using various techniques for a period of 15 week. Simulation sessions like Intravenous cannulation, subcutaneous injection, and intranasal intubation, and other procedural skills were conducted using part task trainer. Full body mannequin was used to teach Basic Life Support [BLS], First aid and airway management. The training on systemic examination skills was provided using subject volunteers. The students were evaluated at regular intervals to assess their learning abilities and skills attained. Student feedback on simulation based teaching was also obtained using a structured questionnaire. Majority of students [92%] strongly agreed that quality of training provided was excellent and students were very confident in practicing physical assessment skills on a simulation based training using mannequin. The high scores obtained during feedback response indicate that mannequin models offer higher quality of training in acquiring the physical assessment skills. As an advantage of this module, instructors were able to repeat experiments and adjust teaching environment suitably at different levels of understanding of the students. This study indicates that training sessions with mannequin can serve as a better tool as compared to standardized patients to provide physical assessment training skills