Using electronic medical records to teach patient-centered care

To develop, implement, and evaluate the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) in disease state management activities to teach pharmacy students patient-centered care skills.

Faculty created 12 patient cases and an EMR for each simulated patient. Students used the information in the EMR to confirm the presence of a disease in their patient; to design and monitor an evidence-based patient-centered care plan, and document their assessment, medication, and monitoring recommendations; and to follow up in a SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) note format within the EMR.

A precourse and postcourse survey instrument was administered to assess students' perceived gains in knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of EMRs for learning patient-centered care skills. A grading rubric was used to evaluate each SOAP note.

Implementation of disease state management activities involving EMRs improved pharmacy students' patient care skills.