Implementation of Virtual Interactive Cases for Pharmacy Education: A Single-Center Experience

TL;DR

This paper describes how a virtual interactive case system was successfully implemented in a pharmacy school to enhance student learning and clinical skills.

Contribution

The study presents a practical implementation of a virtual interactive case system in pharmacy education and highlights its expanded use beyond initial intentions.

Findings

The VIC system was well-received and enhanced students' ability to identify relevant patient information.

It accurately simulated hospital pharmacy practice and helped students prepare for experiential courses.

The system's use expanded to include didactic curriculum, remediation, and continuing education.

Abstract

Patient case simulation software are described in pharmacy education literature as useful tools to improve skills in patient assessment (including medication history-taking and physical assessment), clinical reasoning and communication, and are typically well-received by students and instructors. The virtual interactive case (VIC) system is a web-based software developed to deliver deliberate practice opportunities in simulated patient encounters across a spectrum of clinical topics. This article describes the implementation and utilization of VIC in the undergraduate curriculum at one Canadian pharmacy school. Methods: At our facility, the use of VIC was integrated across the training spectrum in the curriculum, including core and elective didactic courses and practice labs, experiential learning, interprofessional education, and continuing education. Its use was evaluated through student and instructor surveys and qualitative student interviews). VIC is easy to navigate and created a positive and realistic learning environment. Students identified that it enhanced their ability to identify relevant patient information, accurately simulated hospital pharmacy practice and thereby helped them to prepare for their upcoming experiential courses. The use of VIC has expanded beyond its original intended purpose for individual student practice to become a valuable addition to pharmacy undergraduate education. Future plans include ongoing development of cases and exploration of further uses of VIC within the didactic curriculum, for remediation in experiential courses, and for pharmacist continuing education.

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