title: Outcomes of Individualized Formative Assessments in a Pharmacy Skills Laboratory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of an individualized teaching method in a pharmacy skills laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  All third-year students enrolled in an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited doctor of pharmacy program (n=150) received an individual formative assessment from clinical pharmacists on communication skills and clinical competency after the students counseled standardized mock glaucoma patients during a laboratory focused on alternative dosing formulations. Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) scores for this station from the 2012 and 2013 classes were compared before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ophthalmic OSCE station scores were higher after the individual formative feedback intervention. Students in 2013 had a mean score of 83.2 ± 8.3% compared to a mean of 74.3 ± 12.9% in 2012 for this OSCE station. The percentage of students receiving an "A" on the OSCE station increased from 8.1% to 31.3% after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individualized formative teaching methods benefited students in both their communication skills and clinical assessment. Future research should focus on wider implementation and overcoming obstacles, such as increased facilitator needs.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: Tyler Harris
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Gums
authors.affiliation: Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
authors.forename: Erika L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Kleppinger
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
authors.forename: Benjamin Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Urick
mesh_terms: D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000193:education; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D000068156:Formative Feedback; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Pharmacy Education; Skills Laboratory; Teaching Methods