(149) Virtual Simulation in Skills Labs: Developing a French-Canadian Version of MyDispense

Objective : To adapt the virtual simulation software MyDispense to the French-Canadian environment and to propose an integration to the PharmD curriculum at the Université de Montréal.

Methods: A working group from the Faculty of Pharmacy was formed including professors and instructors. A development plan including the type of cases and activities was established in 2022 and is ongoing. Funding was obtained through a subsidy from the vice-rectorate for academic affairs, making it possible to engage summer students and community pharmacists in this initiative.

Results: The working group ensured an optimal integration of the software in the curriculum based on the recently updated educational model for the skills labs. For validation, dispensing and OTC exercises, approximately 800 Canadian medications were selected, photographed and integrated in the software. Translation into French of all phrases, titles and idioms was performed. Canadian templates for prescriptions, label and auxiliary labels were created or identified. A list of fictitious prescribers from various health professions was prepared and integrated. Using a template, more than 60 patient cases have been created and reviewed, then mapped in a spreadsheet. These cases have been progressively integrated in the skills labs.

Conclusions: The Université de Montréal is the first Canadian university, and the first francophone faculty worldwide, to successfully implement MyDispense as one of the new techno-pedagogical approach to provide students with basic skills within the safety of the simulated environment. It is now used by first, second and third year PharmD students. Future projects will aim to evaluate the impact of this technology on competency development and to establish partnerships with other Canadian universities and postsecondary academic programs for pharmacy technicians.