Integration of a Community Pharmacy Simulation Program into a Therapeutics Course

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Health Professions Education
• Computer Simulation in Education

Background:

• Traditional therapeutics courses often rely on paper-based case studies.
• Computer simulations offer potential for interactive and engaging learning experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of incorporating the MyDispense simulation into a therapeutics course.
• To evaluate the impact of MyDispense on student learning and perceptions compared to traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study with experimental and implementation phases.
• Students were randomized to use MyDispense or paper cases, followed by a broader implementation of MyDispense.
• Learning was assessed via pre- and post-tests, with student perceptions gathered through surveys.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in test score improvement between MyDispense and paper methods in the experimental phase.
• Students using paper methods reported higher confidence gains.
• Negative perceptions of MyDispense were noted during implementation, but optional out-of-class use correlated positively with exam scores.

Conclusions:

• MyDispense integration is feasible and offers benefits like immediate feedback and self-study potential.
• Student preference leaned towards traditional paper cases for short-term use without patient information gathering.
• Correlation between optional MyDispense use and higher examination scores suggests its value for supplementary learning.