Mock patient cases are valid tools for assessing clinical pharmacy skills in undergraduate students
Keywords:
Clinical Pharmacy, Assessment, Undergraduate, EducationAbstract
Introduction: Namibian pharmacy undergraduate students are taught clinical knowledge and skills during clinical ward rotations. A method was sought to assess these skills using a ward scenario but under exam conditions.
Assessment Method: Students were given a ‘mock’ patient case with notes and a prescription chart, plus commonly available resources, and were asked to complete a pharmaceutical care plan. Additionally students prioritised their most important three interventions identified and discussed these with a medical internist. Students were graded using a set mark scheme.
Evaluation: Students demonstrated a consistent, systematic approach to clinical pharmacy review, at a competency level appropriate to undergraduates. At least three of the four key interventions were identified by 64% of students, and the average mark overall was 54%.
Implementation: The assessment tool is easily adaptable to a variety of clinical pharmacy situations and levels of education and is a useful benchmark on which future assessments will be based.
References
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) (2014). Available at: www.accp.com. Accessed 25th November, 2014.
Brock, T. (2009). Technical report: Exploring the establishment of a pharmacy course at the University of Namibia, USAID.
Corbo, M., Patel J.P., Abdel Tawab, R. & Davies, J.G. (2006). Evaluating clinical skills of undergraduate pharmacy students using objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Pharmacy Education, 6(1), 53-58.
Hepler, C.D. & Strand, L.M. (1990). Opportunities and responsibilities in pharmaceutical care, American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 47(3), 533-43.
Kaboli, P.J., Hoth, A.B., McClimon, B.J. & Schnipper, J.L. (2006). Clinical Pharmacists and Inpatient Medical Care: A Systematic Review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(9), 955-964.
Marriott, J.L. (2007). Use and evaluation of "virtual" patients for assessment of clinical pharmacy undergraduates. Pharmacy Education, 7(4), 341-349.
MoHSS (2012). National Guidelines for the Management of Tuberculosis, 3rd Edition.
MoHSS (2014). National Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy, Revised 4th Edition.
Rennie, T., Haoses-Gorases, L., Lates, J., Mabirizi, D., Nyarang’o, P. & Sagwa, E. (2011). Sustaining Namibia. Improving the Nation’s health through sustainable pharmacy competency. International Pharmacy Journal, 27(1), 21-24.
Rennie, T., Kibuule, D., Haakuria, V. & Adorka, M. (2014). Four years on in Namibia: What of the new pharmacy programme? International Pharmacy Journal, 32(1), 58-60.
University of Liverpool. (2015). Available at: www.hiv- druginteractions.org. Accessed 25th November, 2014.
UK Clinical Pharmacy Association. (2014). Availbale at:
www.ukcpa.net. Accessed 25th November, 2014.
WHO (World Health Organisation). (2014). Available at:
www.aho.afro.who.int. Accessed 25th November, 2014.
Wuliji, T. (2009). International Pharmacists’ Federation Global Pharmacy Workforce Report. FIP.
