Laboratory session to improve first-year pharmacy students' knowledge and confidence concerning the prevention of medication errors.
OBJECTIVE
To implement a laboratory session into the first-year pharmacy curriculum that would provide active-learning experiences in the recognition, resolution, and prevention of medication errors.


METHODS
Students participated in medication error-prone prescription processing and counseling simulations, role-played communication strategies after a medication error occurred, and discussed an introductory pharmacy practice experience focused on prescription processing and prevention of medication errors.


RESULTS
Students completed an assessment prior to and after completion of the laboratory on their knowledge of and confidence in identifying medication errors. Students' knowledge and awareness of medication errors improved as did confidence in their ability to (1) recognize and avoid errors, (2) utilize methods to prevent errors, (3) communicate about errors with involved parties, and (4) select and report medication errors on an appropriate form.


CONCLUSIONS
Students' awareness of the pharmacist's role in medication error reduction improved and confidence in their ability to recognize, prevent, and communicate medication errors increased.
Kiersma
Mary E
ME
Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 575 Stadium Mall Drive, R. Heine Pharmacy Bldg. Room 502D, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. mkiersma@pharmacy.purdue.edu
Darbishire
Patricia L
PL
Plake
Kimberly S
KS
Oswald
Christopher
C
Walters
Brenda M
BM
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016544:Patient Simulation; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D014342:Truth Disclosure