title: Vital sign monitoring using human patient simulators at pharmacy schools in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop, implement, and assess an experience-based education program using human patient simulators to instruct pharmacy students in monitoring vital signs to identify drug treatment effects and adverse events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical emergency care programs using human patient simulators were prepared and facilitated practical clinical training in resuscitation, which required selecting drugs while monitoring changes in blood pressure, pulse, and arterial blood oxygen saturation. Training encompassed the monitoring of routes of drug administration, drawing of simulated blood, vital-sign monitoring based on a pharmaceutical universal training model, vital-sign monitoring devices and simulators, and medical emergency education using biological simulators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before and after bedside training, students were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their understanding of vital sign monitoring and emergency care. Students successfully learned how to monitor routes of drug administration, vital signs, and pathological conditions. There was a significant increase in students' recognition of the importance of vital-sign monitoring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Experienced-based training using patient simulators successfully prepared pharmacy students to monitor vitals signs and identify drug treatment effects and adverse events.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University of Health and Welfare, Nobeoka-shi, Miyazaki, Japan. j-tokunaga@phoenix.ac.jp
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tokunaga
authors.forename: Norito
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takamura
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Nao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Setoguchi
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: Taminori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirokane
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamaoka
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008348:Manikins; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D055986:Vital Signs