Instructional and Assessment Redesign of a Sterile Compounding Course Using Immersive Simulation

Objective. To revise a traditional sterile compounding course to include content, competencies, and immersive simulations relevant to the current practice of sterile compounding pharmacy. Methods. Faculty and staff at the University of North Texas System College of Pharmacy made significant revisions to an existing sterile compounding course. Instruction was provided in didactic and laboratory sessions and delivered in three modules: fundamental skills, integration of skills and knowledge, and exceptions and specialty topics. Integration laboratory sessions consisted primarily of repetitive but increasingly difficult simulations that included both technician and pharmacist activities. Assessment methods included checkpoint assessments, a mock objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), a written examination, and a final comprehensive OSCE. Effectiveness of the course redesign was assessed by comparing student performance on assessments, overall course performance, and student perceptions extracted from the student course evaluation. Results. Of the 364 students enrolled in the sterile compounding course across four terms, 156 were in the pre-implementation cohort (cohort 1) and 208 were in the post-implementation cohort (cohort 2). Two hundred twenty-eight students completed the course evaluation. Course evaluations significantly demonstrated students' improved perceptions related to seven of 11 survey elements, most notably, critical thinking, integration of concepts, and students feeling challenged. Student performance on laboratory summative assessments also improved. However, written examination scores did not change. Conclusion. This novel sterile compounding course provided a practice-oriented blueprint for instruction and assessment of sterile compounding.