High-fidelity patient simulation series to supplement introductory pharmacy practice experiences

To introduce a high-fidelity simulation series into a 5-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum to demonstrate a hybrid model for introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) delivery.

Fourth-year pharmacy students at a satellite campus participated in a 6-week high-fidelity patient simulation series in which small groups of students worked with members of a patient care team to care for patients in the following scenarios: asthma exacerbation, acute decompensated heart failure, and infective endocarditis with a subsequent anaphylactic reaction to the antibiotic. Fourth-year pharmacy students at the main campus who did not participate in the simulation served as a comparator group.

Students' scores on a knowledge-based post-simulation quiz were significantly higher than scores on the presimulation quiz (p < 0.05). Knowledge retention was significantly higher among the simulation participants than students in the comparator group (p = 0.004). The majority (76%) of students felt more confident "making clinical recommendations to a healthcare provider" after completing the simulation series (p = 0.01).

High-fidelity patient simulation is an effective active-learning strategy to augment IPPEs that allows students to apply clinical skills in a realistic but low-risk patient care setting.