The catalyst for change in teaching and assessing virtual laboratory skills

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Health Professions Education
• Virtual Learning Environments

Background:

• Traditionally, pharmacy skills labs relied on in-person instruction.
• Evolving healthcare delivery necessitates exploring virtual learning best practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the value of virtual delivery methods for pharmacy skills laboratory courses.
• To identify opportunities and challenges in shifting to virtual instruction.

Main Methods:

• The study discusses three virtual delivery methods: flipped classroom, virtual formative simulations, and telehealth objective structured clinical examinations.
• These methods illustrate the practical application of virtual technology in skills labs.

Main Results:

• Virtual delivery offers valuable opportunities for curriculum development.
• Instructors and students must adapt to incorporate virtual technology effectively.

Conclusions:

• Adapting skills-based courses to virtual environments is crucial for preparing student pharmacists.
• Integrating virtual technology ensures students are practice-ready for contemporary healthcare settings.