(350) Empathy Development In Second Year Pharmacy Students through Patient Storytelling

Objective : The objective of this project is to determine the effects of utilizing patient storytelling in Pharm.D. didactic classwork, through large group discussion over patient essays or videos.

Methods: Over the course of two semesters, six sessions were held within the Pharmacy Practice Lab course for second year (P2) Pharm.D. students at the University of Texas at Austin. This project identified 6 topics that aligned with the P2 pharmacotherapy sequence (Chronic Kidney Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Heart Failure, Type 1 Diabetes, Tuberculosis, and Crohn's Disease). Educational materials were provided during each in-class session, and students discussed and reflected on materials with their peers; large group facilitation enhanced dialogue. After each session, students were instructed to complete a brief (3-5 sentence) reflection prompted by a standardized critical reflection model. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on the reflection content, as well as a global level of reflection evaluation.

Results: This project collected 256 reflections from 87 students over one semester; a similar number of reflections anticipated to be collected in the second semester of this project. Themes identified included: greater understanding of healthcare providers’ impact, application of patient-centered care, understanding of patients’ perspective, empathy for challenges encountered, and altered conceptualization of disability. Preliminary analysis of global levels of reflection suggest the average student gains a greater understanding (level 2 reflection) or engages in reflection (level 3 reflection), with nearly 20% engaging in the highest level of engagement.

Conclusions: Incorporation of patient narratives and patient storytelling has the potential to provide a meaningful effect on students’ approach to future practice. Consideration should be given to further implementation of these sessions within Pharm.D. didactic curricula.