Relationship between case question prompt format and the quality of responses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of 2 case question formats (multiple choice and open ended) to prompt faculty members and students to explore multiple solutions and use factual evidence to defend their solutions.


METHODS
Doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) faculty members and students responded to 2 pharmacy law/ethics cases, one followed by a case question prompt in multiple-choice format and the other by a question in open-ended format. The number of conclusions and the quality of the arguments generated were assessed using general linear modeling.


RESULTS
PharmD faculty members outperformed students on every outcome variable measured, demonstrating expert problem-solving skills. All participants provided better quality arguments when the case prompt question was in multiple-choice format.


CONCLUSIONS
The better quality arguments prompted by multiple-choice case questions suggests this format should be used when constructing case question prompts.
Medina
Melissa S
MS
College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, 1110 N. Stonewall Ave., PO Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73126, USA. melissa-medina@ouhsc.edu
D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D020408:Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity; D011340:Problem Solving; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D055553:Prescription Drugs