A Team, Case-based Examination and Its Impact on Student Performance in a Patient Safety and Informatics Course

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education Vol. 81; no. 6; p. 117
• Main Authors: Beckett, Robert D., Etheridge, Kierstan, DeLellis, Teresa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-08-2017; American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
• Subjects: Adult; course assessment; Curriculum; Education, Pharmacy; Educational Measurement - methods; Educational Measurement - standards; Female; Humans; Informatics - education; Male; medication safety; Middle Aged; Patient Safety; pharmacy informatics; Self Concept; Students, Pharmacy - psychology; team examination; course assessment; Patient safety; team examination; medication safety; pharmacy informatics
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.5688/ajpe816117

Objective. To describe the redesigned assessment plan for a patient safety and informatics course and assess student pharmacist performance and perceptions.
Methods. The final examination of a patient safety course was redesigned from traditional multiple choice and short answer to team-based, open-ended, and case-based. Faculty for each class session developed higher level activities, focused on developing key skills or attitudes deemed essential for practice, for a progressive patient case consisting of nine activities. Student performance and perceptions were analyzed with pre- and post-surveys using 5-point scales.
Results. Mean performance on the examination was 93.6%; median scores for each assessed course outcome ranged from 90% to 100%. Eighty-five percent of students completed both surveys. Confidence performing skills and demonstrating attitudes improved for each item on post-survey compared with pre-survey. Eighty-one percent of students indicated the experience of taking the examination was beneficial for their professional development.
Conclusion. A team, case-based examination was associated with high student performance and improved self-confidence in performing medication safety-related skills.