title: A Computer Simulation of Community Pharmacy Practice for Educational Use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a computer-based learning method for pharmacy practice that is as effective as paper-based scenarios, but more engaging and less labor-intensive.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a flexible and customizable computer simulation of community pharmacy. Using it, the students would be able to work through scenarios which encapsulate the entirety of a patient presentation. We compared the traditional paper-based teaching method to our computer-based approach using equivalent scenarios. The paper-based group had 2 tutors while the computer group had none. Both groups were given a prescenario and postscenario clinical knowledge quiz and survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students in the computer-based group had generally greater improvements in their clinical knowledge score, and third-year students using the computer-based method also showed more improvements in history taking and counseling competencies. Third-year students also found the simulation fun and engaging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our simulation of community pharmacy provided an educational experience as effective as the paper-based alternative, despite the lack of a human tutor.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bindoff
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Tristan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bereznicki
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Juanita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Westbury
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.affiliation: School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ollington
mesh_terms: D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: community pharmacy; game; serious games; simulation; virtual community pharmacy