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AuthorElGeed, Hager
AuthorEl Hajj, Maguy Saffouh
AuthorAli, Raja
AuthorAwaisu, Ahmed
Available date2022-12-15T07:16:24Z
Publication Date2021
Publication NameBMC Medical Education
ResourceScopus
URIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02977-1
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/37331
AbstractBackground: The use of simulated patients (SPs) is considered a significant resource for teaching and assessing clinical and communication skills in health professional education. We conducted this study to explore pharmacy students' perspective towards the utilization of SPs in Qatar and to identify areas that require improvement. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used among students and recent graduates of the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University (QU-CPH). First, their perspectives toward the current utilization of SPs at QU-CPH was explored using a quantitative cross-sectional study design. Following this, we conducted six focus group discussions based on the analysis of the questionnaire results. The findings of the two phases were interpreted through integration of the quantitative and qualitative phases. Results: The majority of the participants (> 90%) reported that interactions with SPs are important in building good communication and counseling skills during professional skills course activities. Similarly, most of the respondents (80%) indicated that interactions with SPs prepared them to apply the clinical skills gained during professional skills and patient assessment sessions in real-life. In addition, they reported that interactions with SPs during competency-based assessments were good experiences. The participants disagreed with the notion that interaction with SPs of opposite gender was uncomfortable for them. Themes identified from the focus groups include: interactions with trained SPs compared to faculty SPs, standardization and consistency of SPs' roles, communication and language barriers, simulations of real-life case scenarios, SPs' competence and preparedness, psychological impact associated with interaction with SPs, proposed strategies for improving the SP program. Identified areas for improvement include the need for strengthening the SP training and orientation program as well as the SP selection criteria. Conclusion: This study showed a positive impact of the utilization of SPs in this pharmacy curriculum as perceived by students and alumni. However, the SP program needs to be optimized in terms of the training and orientation of SPs. 2021, The Author(s).
SponsorWe would like thank all pharmacy students and recent graduates at QU-CPH who participated in the study.
Languageen
PublisherBioMed Central Ltd
SubjectCompetency-based curriculum
Curriculum
Performance-based assessment
Pharmacy education
Simulated patients
Students' perception
TitleThe utilization of simulated patients for teaching and learning in the pharmacy curriculum: exploring pharmacy students' and recent alumni's perceptions using mixed-methods approach
TypeArticle
Issue Number1
Volume Number21
dc.accessType Open Access


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