RESEARCH ARTICLE: Virtual physical assessment training during the COVID-19 pandemic - student pharmacists’ performance & perceptions

Authors

  • Josephine P Aranda Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America
  • Shawn R Smith Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8410-5381
  • Han N Nguyen Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America
  • Christina Jap Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America
  • Hyma P Gogineni Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3422-2632

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.165173

Keywords:

COVID-19, Physical Assessment, Virtual Learning, Pharmacy education, Student Perceptions, physical examination, Student performance

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted pharmacy education and caused significant transformation in student learning and assessment. Pharmacy PA faculty transformed the traditional PA teaching and practicum to virtual utilising Zoom. PA practicum consists of demonstration of a set of short videos, followed by students identifying incorrect techniques, describing the correct technique, and the purpose of the specific PA skill. After completion of the virtual PA practicum examination, students were invited to complete a 20-item survey about their perceptions. Most students preferred blended learning (56.8%) format over in-class, even though students performed significantly better on the traditional practicum (0.89+0.13) rather than the virtual (0.84+0.11). Hands-on skills are an integral part to PA instruction and learning, making innovations in virtual delivery and assessment vital for student success. This pandemic gave opportunities to explore curricular innovations as our virtual formats provided alternative approaches to review and summative assessment of PA.

Author Biographies

Josephine P Aranda, Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America

College of Pharmacy

Shawn R Smith, Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America

College of Pharmacy

Han N Nguyen, Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America

College of Pharmacy

Christina Jap, Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America

College of Pharmacy

Hyma P Gogineni, Western University of Health Sciences, United States of America

Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration

 

 

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Published

23-12-2020

How to Cite

Aranda, J. P., Smith, . S. R., Nguyen, H. N. ., Jap, C., & Gogineni, H. P. (2020). RESEARCH ARTICLE: Virtual physical assessment training during the COVID-19 pandemic - student pharmacists’ performance & perceptions. Pharmacy Education, 20(2), p. 165 – 173. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2020.202.165173

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Section

COVID-19 Research Paper