Meeting pharmacy educational outcomes through effective use of the virtual simulation MyDispense

Mak, Vivienne; Fitzgerald, Jill; Holle, Lisa M.; Vordenberg, Sarah E.; Kebodeaux, Clark

doi:10.1016/j.cptl.2021.03.003

Cited by 38 publications

(67 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Additionally, MyDispense exercises were introduced to students in all professional years to aid in learning activities of various subjects such as practicing dispensing in skills labs throughout the curriculum, improving understanding of pharmacy law, and practicing law concepts, counseling, and prescription review process within a pain management course. More recently, both within our own institution and throughout the world, MyDispense has been used to supplement experiential learning when remote/online teaching was required during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating another potential use for MyDispense [28,29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of a Virtual Dispensing Simulator “MyDispense” in an Experiential Education Program to Prepare Students for Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

et al. 2021

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Background: Technology is increasingly used to enhance pharmacy education. We sought to evaluate student learning and preparedness for community introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs) after implementation of “MyDispense” into experiential education. Methods: Both first-year pharmacy students and assigned community IPPE preceptors were eligible. Students were stratified based on previous community pharmacy experience (< or ≥ 50 h), then randomized to complete MyDispense exercises before IPPE (group A) or after 24–32 h of IPPE (group B). We evaluated preceptors’ assessment of student readiness using a 6-item Likert scale survey and students’ readiness and opinion of MyDispense using an anonymous 9-item survey. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize data. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare groups and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 177 eligible students, 155 were randomized and 56 completed study. Group A included 32 students; 56.3% had prior community practice experience. Group B included 24 students; 50% had prior community practice experience. Forty-eight preceptors were enrolled. Students who completed exercises before rotation received higher preceptor scores for patient counseling of self-care and of medications (p < 0.05 for both). Students self-assessed their counseling skills lower than all other skills; 30.4% and 42.9% of students felt mostly or always prepared to counsel for self-care and medications, respectively. Students found MyDispense straightforward, realistic, and appreciated the ability to practice in a safe, electronic, community pharmacy, patient-care environment. Conclusion: Simulation-based software, such as MyDispense, can enhance learner understanding of the prescription fill and counseling process in a community pharmacy practice setting.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of a Virtual Dispensing Simulator “MyDispense” in an Experiential Education Program to Prepare Students for Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

et al. 2021

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“…This was made possible through the virtual pharmacy simulation, MyDispense. MyDispense is a virtual pharmacy simulation where students obtain the necessary practice to dispense medicines in a safe environment [ 8 ] and which has garnered extensive uptake across Pharmacy educators worldwide [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The virtual simulation has an inbuilt number of diverse patients with various medical conditions and histories, and students are able to practice dispensing a number of exercises that allow them to make decisions to dispense or not dispense based on the patient’s medical history and other medicine-related information.…”

Section: Mydispense: Incorporation Of Dispensing Into the Preparation...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Incorporation of MyDispense, a Virtual Pharmacy Simulation, into Extemporaneous Formulation Laboratories

2022

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A core competency of Australian Pharmacy graduates is to prepare and compound extemporaneous formulations. Students in our pharmacy course would traditionally formulate extemporaneous products in laboratory classes while simultaneously preparing a handwritten label, with students divorcing this laboratory activity from the entire dispensing process. As a way to incorporate the dispensing process into the preparation of extemporaneous products without adding excessive time to the laboratory, we integrated MyDispense, a virtual pharmacy simulation, in pre-laboratory activities. This meant that students could complete all the dispensing activities for prescribed extemporaneous formulations prior to attending the laboratory. Prescriptions for solutions, suspensions, creams and ointments were developed in MyDispense, including essential components for dispensing an extemporaneous formulation (e.g., formulation name, dosing instructions). These prescriptions were provided to students at least 1 week prior to their laboratory classes, whereas for the laboratory assessments, the prescription was provided at the commencement of the extemporaneous exam. Due to the implementation of dispensing via MyDispense, we found that students demonstrated pre-laboratory engagement as all students presented their printed labels upon entering the laboratory. We also observed an increase in interaction between students and laboratory facilitators, mainly focused on the principles of formulation integrated around patient outcomes. Virtual simulations such as MyDispense can therefore provide a guided realistic learning experience, whilst overcoming time pressures associated with laboratory timetabling. This approach also encourages students to engage in the dispensing process prior to extemporaneous laboratories providing more opportunity to discuss higher-level formulation principles and patient-centred outcomes during laboratory classes.

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“…Two studies clearly showed benefit to using 'MyDispense' to help deliver lab-based classes and support its continued usage [25,58]. The 'MyDispense' software allows for practice with prescription processing, self-care recommendations, and patient assessment in an online setting.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Selected Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19-Driven Improvements and Innovations in Pharmacy Education: A Scoping Review

et al. 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic led to many colleges of pharmacy having to make major changes relating to their infrastructure and delivery of their curriculum within a very short time frame, including the transition of many components to an online setting. This scoping review sought to summarize what is known about the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy education and the effectiveness of adaptation strategies which were put in place. PubMed, Web of Science, OVID Medline, and MedEdPortal were searched to identify pharmacy education-related articles published since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. For article inclusion, the following criteria had to be met: described original research, related directly to PharmD or PharmBS education, related to the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy education, and was available in English. Out of a total of 813 articles, 50 primary research articles were selected for inclusion. Our review of these identified four domains relating to the impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy education and/or effectiveness of adaptation strategies: (1) lab-based courses and activities (including interprofessional education activities), (2) experiential education, (3) didactic education, and (4) student well-being. The key research findings are summarized and discussed. While the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly brought many challenges to pharmacy education, it has also led to key improvements and innovations.

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Meeting pharmacy educational outcomes through effective use of the virtual simulation MyDispense

Cited by 38 publications

References 12 publications

Integration of a Virtual Dispensing Simulator “MyDispense” in an Experiential Education Program to Prepare Students for Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

Integration of a Virtual Dispensing Simulator “MyDispense” in an Experiential Education Program to Prepare Students for Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience

Incorporation of MyDispense, a Virtual Pharmacy Simulation, into Extemporaneous Formulation Laboratories

COVID-19-Driven Improvements and Innovations in Pharmacy Education: A Scoping Review

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