Simulated medication adherence: First and second-year pharmacy students' perceptions of adhering to a multi-drug...

Through a realistic medication adherence activity, the objective was to improve students' ability to identify non-adherent patients, build empathy toward patients, and prepare them to provide patient-centered care.

First- and second-year student pharmacists completed a two-month activity, which required adherence to a pre-specified medication regimen. Prior to starting, a survey was administered to assess students' perceived difficulty and success of the medication adherence activity. Upon completion, students were asked their perceived success and difficulty with the activity, challenges to maintaining adherence, and lessons learned from the project. Changes in perceived difficulty and success were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Challenges and lessons learned were coded for similar themes and frequencies.

298 student pharmacists completed the pre- and post-survey (response rate 99%). Students' perceived difficulty of adherence was higher on the post-survey (median on post = 7.0 (out of 10) versus median on pre = 6.0, p = 0.023). Students' perceived success was higher on the presurvey (median on pre = 8.0 versus median on post = 6.0, p < 0.001). The most frequent challenges were remembering to take the medications (n = 133) and medication regimen timing (n = 98). The most frequent lesson learned was that "adherence is a difficult concept" (n = 143).

Students participated in a "hands-on" medication adherence activity. Students found that medication adherence is more difficult than perceived. Future research should examine the long-term impact of students maintaining empathy toward patients and provision of medication adherence services.