Evaluation of a poverty-focused educational program and simulation for pharmacists

Abstract

Background and purpose: Limited literature explores the impact that poverty-focused educational simulations can have on practicing clinicians. This study used a poverty simulation, specifically created to resemble the lives of Medicare patients, to sensitize practicing pharmacists to the situations faced by people living in poverty. The study evaluated how a poverty-focused educational program impacted practicing pharmacists' actual knowledge gain, intention to assist patients with limited income, and satisfaction with the educational program.

Educational activity and setting: A quasi-experimental one-group pre-/posttest design of practicing pharmacists was utilized. The intervention was a live continuing educational (CE) program at a pharmacy alumni event and a pharmacy convention. The CE program was delivered in person and included a Medicare poverty simulation and a 75-min didactic lecture. Pre- and posttests were used to assess outcomes. The primary outcome was change in knowledge as measured by test scores. Secondary outcomes included intention to assist future low-income patients and participant satisfaction with the educational program.

Findings: Eighty-nine pharmacists participated in the educational program. Participants' mean knowledge increased from 2.76 (SD = 0.97) to 3.61 (SD = 1.21) (P < .001) out of 5. The majority (88.3%) agreed they were interested in assisting patients with limited income in the future. Most participants strongly agreed that the program was satisfactory and contributed to their learning.

Summary: This is the first identifiable study that incorporated a poverty simulation into an educational program for practicing pharmacists. The study may help inform the development of future educational programs for practicing pharmacists.

Keywords: Low income; Medicare; Pharmacists; Poverty; Simulation.