Teaching of the patient workup process improves students' perceptions of preparation for advanced pharmacy practice experiences

Abstract

Background and purpose: One of the most common daily tasks on Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) is "working up" patients for inpatient rounds or outpatient visits. The purpose of this study was to assess a change in student pharmacist comfort level in performing a patient workup before and after the Pre-APPE Workshop by specifically teaching this process.

Educational activity and setting: The patient workup process was included in the Pre-APPE Workshop, a one-week APPE orientation course at the end of the third professional year. Students completed a 34 question self-assessment prior to instruction and after completion of the course to assess their comfort level with working up patients and readiness for APPEs. Student perceptions were compared pre- and post-assessment. Additionally, performance on assignments and results from a voluntary course evaluation were assessed.

Findings: One hundred and fifty-two (100%) students enrolled in the Pre-APPE Workshop completed the pre- and post- self-assessments. Differences in student comfort level were found between the pre- and post-course self-assessments (median, [interquartile range]) related to performing an inpatient workup (3 [2-3] versus 3 [3-3], median change 0 [range - 2, 3]), and the outpatient workup (3 [2-3] versus 3 [3-4], median change 1 [range - 2, 3]), Overall, students felt more prepared to start APPEs after the Pre-APPE Workshop (3 [2-3] versus 3 [3-4]).

Summary: Incorporating teaching of the patient workup process into the pre-APPE curriculum improved student pharmacist's comfort level with completing patient workups, and perceptions of preparation for APPE rotations.

Keywords: Advanced pharmacy practice experiences; Patient care; Pharmacists; Pharmacy education; Pharmacy schools; Pharmacy students; Pre-advanced pharmacy practice experiences.