(132) Student reflections from a self-care small group simulation activity with standardized patients

Objective : To evaluate a required group standardized patient simulation activity in a didactic self care course for effectiveness and identify areas for enhancement in the future.

Methods: Students in the P2 self-care course engage in two small group simulation activities. These activities include three sections: 1.) interviewing a standardized patient, 2.) selecting an appropriate over-the-counter product from a pre-selected list, and 3.) counseling the standardized patient on the chosen product. Each student in the group is encouraged to participate in each portion of the activity. Students are evaluated by the standardized patients on professionalism, communication, and teamwork. Students are evaluated by faculty via review of video recording and group write-up on appropriateness of the product chosen and counseling points provided. After the second simulation activity, each student was required to complete a self-assessment with multiple choice and free response questions to evaluate their performance, identify challenges with the activity, and provide recommendations on what they would want to see in future offerings.

Results: A total of 92 second-year pharmacy students completed the post-activity survey. 63% identified balancing duties across team members as the greatest challenge. Students identified dermatitis (24, 13%) and gastrointestinal disorders (17, 9%) as preferred topics for the future and 28 (30%) stated they would want to experience this in a smaller group or as an individual activity.

Conclusions: The self-care patient simulation is a valuable activity for faculty and students. Beyond the self-evaluation, multiple students address this activity as being beneficial to their learning in course evaluation. Though all involved agree more similar activities or individual interviews would be best, time and logistics limit the ability to implement within the curriculum.