Exploring community pharmacy work experience impact on errors and omissions performance and MyDispense perceptions

Background

Student pharmacists must learn to identify errors and omissions (E&O). MyDispense can provide students, especially those without previous pharmacy experience, the opportunity to practice this skill. One institution explored the relationship between previous community pharmacy experience and performance on E&O activities in a skills lab. It also examined student perceptions of using MyDispense for these activities.

Educational activity

Students participated in five E&O activities over the P1 spring semester. Afterwards, students were surveyed to determine amount of previous community pharmacy work experience and perceptions of using MyDispense for these activities. Amount of experience was correlated to performance on E&O activities using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Descriptive statistics helped quantify student perceptions.

Evaluation findings

Of 71 enrolled students, 63 (89 %) completed the questionnaire. Forty-four respondents indicated having some amount of previous community pharmacy work experience. There was a slight positive correlation between amount of experience and average performance across all five E&O activities, r_s(61) = 0.20, p = 0.115. The correlation was strongest for performance on the first activity, r_s(61) = 0.34, p = 0.006 but weakened with subsequent activities. Most students with prior experience (81.8 %) felt this was somewhat or very helpful for completing E&O activities. At course conclusion, 93.7 % of respondents reported being somewhat or very confident in identifying errors and omissions, and 82.5 % recommended continuing MyDispense for E&O activities.

Analysis of educational activity

Previous community pharmacy work experience may have benefited students on their first E&O activity. However, repeated activities through MyDispense, a realistic simulation platform, was one way to provide all learners, regardless of previous experience, the opportunity to master the skill of identifying E&Os.