A standardized patient-oriented approach to teaching clinical toxicology.
OBJECTIVE
Design, implement, and evaluate a standardized approach to teaching clinical toxicology for pharmacy students.


METHODS
An extensive review of the literature was conducted and a standardized approach to teaching Clinical Toxicology, a 1-credit-hour elective course, was designed, consisting of 9 key questions to address any clinical poisoning. A patient-oriented and problem-solving approach to clinical toxicology was adopted throughout the course.


RESULTS
Average performance on course examinations for the academic years 1996-2001 (N=604) when the course was required and the academic years 2002-2007 (N=37) when the course was changed to an elective was 83.4% and 81.7%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A standardized, patient-oriented approach to teaching clinical toxicology allowed successful conversion of this material from a required course to an elective and facilitated students' exposure and interest in this important area of practice.
Alsharif
Naser Z
NZ
School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68178, USA. nalshari@creighton.edu
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D006801:Humans; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000592:standards*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014116:Toxicology / Q000193:education*