Student knowledge and confidence with prescribing hormonal contraception.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Reproductive Health
• Clinical Skills Training

Background:

• Pharmacists' scope of practice has expanded to include prescribing and dispensing hormonal contraceptives in many states.
• Assessing student preparedness for these expanded roles is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate student knowledge and confidence in prescribing hormonal contraception.
• To assess the effectiveness of a simulated patient case activity in enhancing these skills.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, exploratory study involving second-year pharmacy students.
• Utilized readiness assurance tests, documented patient assessments, post-activity quizzes, and confidence surveys.
• Data collected over two academic years (2017-2019).

Main Results:

• Students showed consistent performance on knowledge assessments (average scores 84.2%-96.4%).
• High confidence reported in formulary navigation, documentation, and interprofessional communication.
• Lower confidence noted in product selection based on patient factors and counseling on missed doses.

Conclusions:

• The simulated patient case activity effectively enhanced student knowledge and confidence in prescribing hormonal contraceptives.
• Identified areas for further curriculum development, particularly in patient-specific product selection and missed dose counseling.