Communication Capacity Building through Pharmacy Practice Simulation

Abstract

Objective. To examine the effectiveness of simulated learning modules (SLMs) encompassing EXcellence in Cultural Experiential Learning and Leadership (EXCELL) core competencies in enhancing pharmacy students' professional communication skills. Methods. Students completed three hours of preparatory lectures and eight hours of workshops comprising six SLMs themed around pharmacy practice and pharmacy placements. Each SLM comprised role-plays with actors, facilitation using EXCELL Social Interaction Maps (SIMs), and debriefing. Evaluations of SLMs included quantitative and qualitative survey responses collected before, during and after workshops, and after placements. Facilitators reflected on SLMs as a pedagogic modality. Results. Student feedback was positive about SLMs as an effective learning tool. The majority indicated areas of new learning and found SLMs enhanced their professional skills and confidence. Facilitator feedback was positive, and suggested SLM optimization strategies. Conclusion. Student and teaching team recommendations will inform future curriculum development including the optimization of SLMs in pharmacy education.

Evaluation of a simulation-based hospital pharmacy training package for pharmacy students

“…However, there is limited information on Australian studies that involved the development, implementation, and evaluation of hospital-based simulation training packages within tertiary education. One Australian study (Fejzic et al 2016) that focussed on pharmacy students' communication skills involved supplementing the curriculum with simulation-based activities with positive enhancement of student confidence and professional practice skills. This study showed that the integration of a simulation-based training package into the curriculum of final year pharmacy students improved students' knowledge base of hospital pharmacy processes as well as their confidence levels in feeling prepared for working in a hospital pharmacy environment.…”

“…However, Australian universities increasingly find it challenging to organise hospital placements for all pharmacy students. Research by Fejzic et al (2016) suggested a variety of reasons for this including course time constraints and high competition for limited hospital places. Pharmacy academics therefore need to explore alternative approaches to equip students to practise in hospital pharmacy settings.…”

Developing nurses’ intercultural/intraprofessional communication skills using the EXCELLence in Cultural Experiential Learning and Leadership Social Interaction Maps

“…Findings in our study also suggest that there may be value in extending the application of the SIMs tool in other areas in nursing, for example, in information‐gathering such as patient history taking and assessment, information‐giving, such as explaining the consequences of treatment, or the side effects of medication. Similarly, SIMs can be used to enhance nursing students’ and practitioners’ skills in giving feedback to colleagues, or expressing disagreement in the workplace in a nonconflictual manner (Fejzic et al., ).…”

“…Indeed, both SBAR and SAGE & THYME have merit and tend to represent situational specific behavioural scripts and complex interaction. EXCELL, however, is a simplistic generic skills training protocol used to enhance communication skills and mitigate issues with cultural perspectives through raising self‐awareness (Barker & Mak, ; Fejzic, Barker, Hills, & Priddle, ). The raising of self‐awareness through the EXCELL model is reported to enhance the cultural/intraprofessional communication skills in psychology, pharmacy and business professionals, and hence can also assist nurses to better communicate with others from their own cultural background but also from different cultural backgrounds.…”

Feedback for a simulation practice on communication skills in pharmacy education: A pilot study

“…Also, in a study conducted in 2014, it was revealed that patient human simulation was more effective than case based learning in terms of improving, the understanding and comprehending levels of the students [23]. Recently, participants of a study reported that simulation applications improved their self-confidence and professional skills [41].…”