Blended Simulation Progress Testing for Assessment of Practice Readiness

Am J Pharm Educ. 2017 Feb 25;81(1):14. doi: 10.5688/ajpe81114.

Abstract

Objective. To design an assessment of practice readiness using blended-simulation progress testing. Design. A five-station, blended simulation assessment was developed to evaluate patient care outcomes in first- and third-year pharmacy (P1 and P3) students, as well as first-year postgraduate (PGY1) pharmacy residents. This assessment of practice readiness included knowledge and performance evaluations administered as a progress test. Assessment. Eighteen PGY1 residents, 108 P3 students, and 106 P1 students completed the assessment. P3 students scored significantly higher than P1 students across all evaluations. Third-year pharmacy students scored significantly lower than PGY1 residents in interprofessional communications and attitudes of ownership in a standardized colleague/mannequin model station, and in patient communication in a standardized patient station. Conclusion. Learners demonstrated evolving skills as they progressed through the curriculum. A blended simulation integrated progress test provides data for improvement of individual student clinical skills, informs curricular advancement, and aligns curricular content, process, and outcomes with accreditation standards.

Keywords: assessment; progress test; quality assurance; readiness; simulation.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Communication
  • Computer Simulation
  • Curriculum
  • Education, Pharmacy / methods*
  • Educational Measurement / methods*
  • Humans
  • Internship, Nonmedical
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Manikins
  • Patient Care
  • Professional Practice
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Students, Pharmacy