(120) Assessing the Impact of Virtual Simulation Activities on Student Confidence in Pharmacy Practice

Objective : To assess student confidence in skills essential for pharmacy practice via practice modules in a virtual simulation program, MyDispense.

Methods: Third year pharmacy students completed five MyDispense modules focused on essential pharmacy practice skills, including prescription verification, calculations, drug utilization review (DUR), and communication with patients and healthcare providers. Students completed surveys before and after module completion to assess skills confidence and provide feedback related to program utilization. The pre-survey included questions about demographics, pharmacy work experience, and baseline student pharmacy practice skills confidence. The post-survey included the same questions assessing skills confidence with additional questions about whether practicing in MyDispense increased confidence, providing feedback on program navigation challenges, relatability to pharmacy work experience, and overall experience working in MyDispense.

Results: Sixty-five students completed the MyDispense modules and both surveys. A majority of students had pharmacy work experience (94%), mostly in community pharmacy (84%). Post-survey results note improved confidence compared to pre-survey with calculations (17%); patient communication (38%); and confidence with healthcare provider communication (24%). There were no confidence improvements shown in prescription verification or completing DURs. MyDispense utilization increased pharmacy practice skills confidence in 68% of students. Overall feedback was mostly positive, noting that working through the MyDispense activities was a great learning experience, included all skills needed for community pharmacy, and that simulation activities are comparable to pharmacy work.

Conclusions: Practicing essential pharmacy practice skills in MyDispense overall improved student confidence. Providing opportunities to practice these skills utilizing virtual simulation assures that students are adequately prepared for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) and practice. Future studies will include additional student skills confidence assessments utilizing MyDispense and eventually expanding its use to earlier curriculum.