Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Antiviral Pharmacology: A Standardized Patient Case for Preclinical Medical Students
Michael K Jones1, Karisma R Gupta2, Timothy R Peters3
1Third-Year Medical Student, Wake Forest School of Medicine.
Introduction:
Pharmacology is an important learning topic in preclinical medical education. Simulated patient encounters allow students to apply basic science knowledge in a clinical setting and have been useful in previous studies of pharmacology education. We developed a standardized patient (SP) encounter to reinforce antiviral pharmacology content for first-year medical students.
Methods:
Students were instructed to recommend a medication for shingles during an SP encounter and to answer questions from the SP on mechanism of action and adverse effects. Students then attended a large-group debrief session. Following the activity, students evaluated the exercise through a voluntary survey. For knowledge assessment, students were randomized into two groups to complete three multiple-choice questions either before or after the learning activity.
Results:
In 2020 and 2021, 144 and 145 students, respectively, participated. In 2020, there was no significant difference in the proportion of correct answers between the pre- and postsimulation groups (p > .05). In 2021, the postsimulation group significantly outperformed the presimulation group in knowledge of mechanism of action (p < .01) and adverse effects (p < .01), but no difference was seen between the groups regarding medication selection (p = .27). Most learners assessed the instructional design as effective for the tasks assigned.
Discussion:
This SP activity provided an opportunity for early medical students to practice integrating antiviral pharmacology knowledge into a patient encounter and was well received by learners. The instructional method offers a clinically relevant approach for reinforcing pharmacology knowledge for preclinical medical students.
More Related Videos
09:07Using Zebrafish Models of Human Influenza A Virus Infections to Screen Antiviral Drugs and Characterize Host Immune Cell Responses
Published on: January 20, 2017
06:03Use of Viral Entry Assays and Molecular Docking Analysis for the Identification of Antiviral Candidates against Coxsackievirus A16
Published on: July 15, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions
Subviral Agents
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors