RESEARCH ARTICLE: Measuring the educational benefits of using a virtual patient to practice pharmacist-patient consultations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2021.211.382389Keywords:
counselling, education, pharmacist, simulation, virtual patientAbstract
Objective: Virtual patients (VPs) are a method of simulating clinical practice however little is known about their use by healthcare professionals. This study explores if, and how, one VP is educationally beneficial for pharmacists and pre-registration trainees to teach non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) patient counselling.
Method: The evaluation used a before and after questionnaire measuring self-perceived counselling ability; further questions considered the outcomes of VP use. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics; ethical approval was granted by Keele University.
Results: There was an average improvement in the user’s (n=94) self-perceived ability to conduct NOAC counselling (+10.2%). Although, there was variation in educational outcomes with changes in both knowledge and confidence reported. Some reported a decreased ability, but they were still positive towards the VP as it may have had a regulatory effect.
Conclusion: Most users perceived multiple benefits of use; more generic outcomes related to counselling skills were also reported.
References
Al-Dahir, S., Bryant, K., Kennedy, K.B., & Robinson, D.S. (2014). Online virtual-patient cases versus traditional problem-based learning in advanced pharmacy practice experiences. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 78(4), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe78476
Battaglia, J.N., Kieser, M.A., Bruskiewitz, R.H., Pitterle, M.E., & Thorpe, J.M. (2012). An online virtual-patient program to teach pharmacists and pharmacy students how to provide diabetes-specific medication therapy management. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 76(7), 131. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe767131
Bindoff, I., Ling, T., Bereznicki, L., Westbury, J., Chalmers, L., Peterson, G., & Ollington, R. (2014). A computer simulation of community pharmacy practice for educational use. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 78(9), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe789168
Boone, H.N., & Boone, D.A. (2012). Analyzing Likert Data Likert-Type Versus Likert Scales (online). Journal of Extension, 50(2). Available from: https://archives.joe.org/joe/2012april/pdf/JOE_v50_2tt2.pdf
Botezatu, M., Hult, H., & Fors, U.G. (2010). Virtual patient simulation: what do students make of it? A focus group study. BMC Medical Education, 10(1), 91. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-10-91
Bracegirdle, L., & Chapman, S. (2010). Programmable Patients: Simulation of Consultation Skills in a Virtual Environment. Bio-Algorithms and Med-Systems, 6(11), 111–115.
Cavaco, A. M., & Madeira, F. (2012). European pharmacy students’ experience with virtual patient technology. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 76(6), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe766106
Douglass, M., Casale, J., Skirvin., A., & DiVall, M. (2013). A virtual patient software program to improve pharmacy student learning in a comprehensive disease management course. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 77(8), 172. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe778172
Duff, E., Miller, L., & Bruce, J. (2016). Online Virtual Simulation and Diagnostic Reasoning: A Scoping Review. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(9), 377–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2016.04.001
Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics (Fourth Ed.). London: SAGE
Forsberg, E., Ziegert, K., Hult, H., & Fors, U. (2016). Assessing progression of clinical reasoning through virtual patients: An exploratory study. Nurse Education in Practice, 16(1), 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2015.09.006
Kane-Gill, S., & Smithburger, P. (2011). Transitioning Knowledge Gained From Simulation to Pharmacy Practice. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 75(10), 210. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe7510210
Menendez, E., Balisa-Rocha, B., Jabbur-Lopes, M., Costa, W., Nascimento, J., Dosea, M., Silva, L., & Junior, D.L. (2015). Using a virtual patient system for the teaching of pharmaceutical care. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 84(9), 640–646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2015.05.015
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014). Atrial fibrillation: management (online). Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg180
Pereira, D., & Cavaco, A. (2014). Exploring computer simulation to assess counseling skills amongst pharmacy undergraduates. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, 48(1), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijper.48.1.4
Richardson, C.L., Chapman, S., & White, S. (2019). Virtual patient educational programme to teach counselling to clinical pharmacists: Development and proof of concept. BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjstel-2018-000352
Richardson, C.L., White, S., & Chapman, S. (2019). Virtual patient technology to educate pharmacists and pharmacy students on patient communication: a systematic review. BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjstel-2019-000514
Smith, M., & Benedict, N. (2015). Effectiveness of educational technology to improve patient care in pharmacy curricula. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 79(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe79115
Smith, M., Mohammad, R., & Benedict, N. (2014). Use of virtual patients in an advanced therapeutics pharmacy course to promote active, patient-centered learning. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 78(6), 125. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe786125
Stevens, A., Hernandez, J., Johnsen, K., Dickerson, R., Raij, A., Harrison, C., DiPietro, M., Allen, B., Ferdig, R., foti, S., Jackson, J., Shin, M., Cendan, J., Watson, R., Duerson, M., Lok, B., Cohen, M., Wagner, P., & Lind, D.S. (2006). The use of virtual patients to teach medical students history taking and communication skills. American Journal of Surgery, 191(6), 806–811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2006.03.002
Taglieri, C.A., Crosby, S.J., Zimmerman, K., Schneider, T., & Patel, D.K. (2017). Evaluation of the use of a virtual patient on student competence and confidence in performing simulated clinic visits. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81(5). https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe81587
Thompson, J., White, S., & Chapman, S. (2016). A qualitative study of the perspectives of pre-registration pharmacists on the use of virtual patients as a novel educational tool. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 24(S3), 34. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12289/full
Thompson, J., White, S., & Chapman, S. (2017). Trainee perceptions on the usefulness of Virtual Patients and other support during the pre-registration year. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 25(S1), 33–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12370
Zary, N., Johnson, G., Boberg, J., & Fors, U.G.H. (2006). Development, implementation and pilot evaluation of a Web-based Virtual Patient Case Simulation environment - Web-SP. BMC Medical Education, 6, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-6-10
Zigmont, J.J., Kappus, L.J., & Sudikoff, S.N. (2011). Theoretical Foundations of Learning Through Simulation. Seminars in Perinatology, 35(2), 47–51. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semperi.2011.01.002
Zlotos, L., Power, A., Hill, D., & Chapman, P. (2016). A scenario-based virtual patient program to support substance misuse education. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 80(3), 48. https://doi.org/10.5688/ajpe80348
