title: Active-learning instruction on emergency contraception counseling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To increase pharmacy students' knowledge of and confidence in counseling patients regarding emergency contraception and to identify any barriers to counseling patients about emergency contraception.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately 200 third-year pharmacy students participated in the Women's Health Therapeutics workshop at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy. Students observed a 5-minute skit of a counseling session on emergency contraception and then were asked to pair up with a classmate and practice counseling each other regarding the use of emergency contraception following a checklist of key points.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty-nine students completed pre- and post-workshop survey instruments. Students' knowledge scores increased from 86% to 93% (p<0.001). Approximately 25% of the students stated they were confident in counseling patients on emergency contraception before completing the active-learning exercise compared to 58.5% after (p<0.001). The most common barrier to counseling that students identified on the pre- and post-workshop survey was lack of knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in an active-learning exercise significantly increased pharmacy students' knowledge of and confidence in counseling patients regarding emergency contraception and significantly reduced several barriers to counseling identified prior to participation.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA.
authors.forename: Shardae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Brooke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vest
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D037001:Directive Counseling; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital
keywords: active learning; emergency contraception; pharmacy students