Engaging in reflection: Error logs and the developing students’ skills
Keywords:
Reflection, errors, student attitudes, pharmacy, registerAbstract
Background: For a number of years, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the National Patient Safety Agency have recommended that a register of errors (or error log) is kept in each pharmacy. This register should record errors and assist in the management of risk in all aspects of pharmacy practice. The main learning process involved is one of reflection.
Aim: To explore the attitudes of pharmacy students on completing and reflecting on dispensing error register.
Method: Four focus group discussions involving twenty-six level six pharmacy students. University ethics approval was obtained
Results: A number of themes emerged from the study which provide an insight into the learning that students have achieved and how this can be encouraged in future cohorts.
Conclusion: Students require more encouragement and support to begin developing their reflective skills in particular highlighting the benefits of completing the task.
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