title: A physical assessment skills module on vital signs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement and evaluate a physical assessment module for pharmacy students.
  
  
  METHODS
  A physical assessment module focusing on vital signs was incorporated into the curriculum for third-year pharmacy students. This module consisted of an online component, a practical skills workshop, and a clinical practice site.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean score on the in-class quiz, which evaluated students' knowledge of physical assessment after completion of the online module, was 94%. During the practical skills laboratory, 48% of student-measured systolic blood pressure (BP) readings and 60% of student-measured diastolic BP readings were within 5 mmHg of the machine reading. In the assessment of blood pressure technique, areas of difficulty included detection of Korotkoff sounds; steady deflation of cuff; and hand-eye coordination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students more frequently underestimated systolic BP than the diastolic BP when compared to the automated machine readings. Findings from this study will be used to improve existing modules and evaluation methods on the physical assessment of vital signs.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Louizos
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Harris
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iacovides
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Drena
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dunford
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brink
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kleiman
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada ; Department of Educational Administration, Foundations & Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Renaud
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D055986:Vital Signs
keywords: blood pressure; pharmacy education; pharmacy students; physical assessment; vital signs