Pharmacy student knowledge and communication of medication errors

To describe and evaluate pharmacy students' knowledge of and comfort in communicating, managing, and preventing medication errors.

Using a cross-sectional design, a survey instrument was administered to fifth-year pharmacy students. The survey instrument included both open- and close-ended questions to describe and examine factors associated with knowledge and comfort in communication of medication errors.

Survey instruments were completed by 93 students (90% response rate). Nearly 80% reported not having received training in communicating medication errors. The perception of having more adequate training was related to greater knowledge in the communication of medication errors (p < or = 0.001). Knowledge was also associated with students having greater comfort in communicating medication errors (p < or = 0.05).

The need and value of additional training for pharmacy students in communicating medication errors was demonstrated. Educational interventions should be developed to provide consistent instruction on these communication issues.