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. 2021 May;85(5):8451.
doi: 10.5688/ajpe8451. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

A Peer-Teaching Model to Reinforce Pharmacy Students' Clinical Knowledge of Commonly Prescribed Medications

Tiffany Tsai  1 , Kim Vo  2 , Tanya L Ostrogorsky  3 , Jessina C McGregor  3 , Caitlin M McCracken  3 , Harleen Singh  4
Affiliations

A Peer-Teaching Model to Reinforce Pharmacy Students' Clinical Knowledge of Commonly Prescribed Medications

Tiffany Tsai et al. Am J Pharm Educ. 2021 May.

Abstract

Objective. To implement and assess the effectiveness of a peer teaching series to increase third year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students' knowledge of and confidence regarding commonly prescribed medications.Methods. All third-year pharmacy students (n=98) at a college of pharmacy were encouraged to participate in the RxReady peer teaching series prior to beginning their advanced pharmacy practice experiences. Each student in the class was assigned a drug to learn in-depth. Twenty-four of the students were randomly selected to provide peer teaching regarding a single medication. These students were required to meet with a faculty member to prepare for their presentation. Assessment methods included completion of pre- and post-intervention quizzes and anonymous surveys regarding the peer-teaching modality. Students also provided qualitative feedback on the series as part of a course survey.Results. Among the 96 students who completed the pre- and post-intervention quizzes, there was a mean increase of 15% (SD=11%) on the post-intervention quiz score compared to the pre-intervention quiz score. Ninety-two (96%) students achieved a higher score on the post-intervention quiz. There was no difference in mean percent change in scores between the pre-and post-intervention quiz for students who presented in class compared with students who did not present (17% [SD=10%] vs 15% [SD=11%], respectively). Student-reported confidence significantly improved across all drug knowledge categories. In each category, the median confidence score increased from 2 (somewhat confident) to 3 (moderately confident). The students' qualitative feedback was generally positive, and they provided suggestions to improve the content and design of the RxReady peer teaching series.Conclusion. A peer teaching approach to reviewing drug information can assist in targeting gaps in PharmD students' drug knowledge and help to build their confidence in their readiness to begin APPEs.

Keywords: drug knowledge; peer teaching; student confidence; top 200 drugs.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Peer-Teaching Drug Card Template for Each Assigned Drug
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Percentage of Students Indicating Moderate or Very High Confidence in the Post-intervention Survey in Each Drug Knowledge Category
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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