Virtual Pediatric Patient Activities With Randomized Scenarios as an Instructional Tool for Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Objectives: To assess student pharmacist best activity scores and related exam question performance based on the number of pediatric virtual patient activity (VPA) attempts.

Methods: A 40-point asthma VPA was implemented and included three possible randomized scenarios. A 60-point meningitis VPA was implemented and included three possible randomized scenarios followed by an additional three possible randomized scenarios only if the first scenario was correctly completed. Points were awarded in the VPA based on appropriateness of treatment decisions. Students were allowed unlimited VPA attempts individually and as a group in class. Three exam questions were based on a fourth scenario of each randomized portion of the VPAs. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and T-test were used for statistical comparisons when appropriate.

Results: Of 132 students, median individual best asthma VPA scores were 15.25, 22, and 30 for those with 1, 2, and ≥3 asthma attempts, respectively (p < 0.001). Median individual best meningitis VPA scores were 4, 5, 7, and 45.5 for those with 1, 2, 3 to 4, and ≥5 attempts, respectively (p < 0.001). Median number of group VPA attempts was higher among students who correctly answered the exam question related to the first randomized meningitis scenario (10 versus 4, p = 0.015), although no differences in attempts were found for the other related questions (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Students who completed the VPAs more times achieved greater individual best scores. Students who correctly answered related exam questions had a higher number of group VPA attempts only when continuation of the VPA required correct randomized scenario completion.

Keywords: active learning; educational technology; pediatrics; simulation training; virtual patients.

Figure 1.

Virtual case activity outline.

Figure 2.

Asthma virtual patient activity best scores based on individual attempts. Box and whisker plots include minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, and maximum scores. Median scores were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Figure 3.

Meningitis virtual patient activity best scores based on individual attempts. Box and whisker plots include minimum, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile, and maximum scores. Median scores were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test.