title: Pharmacy student knowledge retention after completing either a simulated or written patient case.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine pharmacy students' knowledge retention from and comfort level with a patient-case simulation compared with a written patient case.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pharmacy students were randomly assigned to participate in either a written patient case or a simulated patient case in which a high-fidelity mannequin was used to portray a patient experiencing a narcotic and acetaminophen overdose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' responses on a multiple-choice test and a survey instrument administered before the case, immediately after the case, and 25 days later indicated that participation in the simulated patient case did not result in greater knowledge retention or comfort level than participation in the written patient case. Students' knowledge improved post-intervention regardless of which teaching method was used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although further research is needed to determine whether the use of simulation in the PharmD curriculum is equivalent or superior to other teaching methods, students' enthusiasm for learning in a simulated environment where they can safely apply patient care skills make this technology worth exploring.
authors: University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Knoxville, USA. smray@uthsc.edu
authors: Shaunta' M
authors: SM
authors: Ray
authors: Douglas R
authors: DR
authors: Wylie
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Shaun Rowe
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Heidel
authors: Andrea S
authors: AS
authors: Franks
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008348:Manikins; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012984:Software; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000082:Acetaminophen