An Online, Multi-institutional Debate on Diabetes Medications by Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Students

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students' knowledge and to measure student perceptions of an online, multi-institutional debate curriculum as an alternative to a journal club to improve critical thinking skills related to diabetes medications.Methods. All APPE students assigned to four faculty (n=37) at three different colleges during the 2020-2021 academic year received instruction on diabetes medication classes and their cardiovascular outcome trials. Students debated via the Lincoln-Douglas format whether the preferred second-line therapies for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are either glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Matched pre- and post-APPE knowledge scores were measured using a seven-item assessment tool. A 22-item post-debate survey measured student perceptions of the activity.Results. Pre- and post-APPE knowledge scores were compared in 32 students, yielding an 86% response rate. Knowledge scores improved 32% (59% pre vs 87% post). Thirty-three students completed the perceptions survey, yielding an 89% response rate. Students reported that the debate activity was beneficial (100%) and rated it more effective than a journal club at improving critical thinking skills and knowledge retention.Conclusion. Preliminary results suggest that incorporating an online, multi-institutional debate as an alternative to journal clubs during APPE rotations was well received. Further research is warranted on the impact of the multi-institutional debate and how to best deliver it during the APPEs of a pharmacy curriculum.