title: Student Ability, Confidence, and Attitudes Toward Incorporating a Computer into a Patient Interview.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To improve pharmacy students' ability to effectively incorporate a computer into a simulated patient encounter and to improve their awareness of barriers and attitudes towards and their confidence in using a computer during simulated patient encounters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students completed a survey that assessed their awareness of, confidence in, and attitudes towards computer use during simulated patient encounters. Students were evaluated with a rubric on their ability to incorporate a computer into a simulated patient encounter. Students were resurveyed and reevaluated after instruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students improved in their ability to effectively incorporate computer usage into a simulated patient encounter. They also became more aware of and improved their attitudes toward barriers regarding such usage and gained more confidence in their ability to use a computer during simulated patient encounters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Instruction can improve pharmacy students' ability to incorporate a computer into simulated patient encounters. This skill is critical to developing efficiency while maintaining rapport with patients.
authors.affiliation: Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.affiliation: Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Valdovinos
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D016544:Patient Simulation; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: computer; patient communication; pharmacy students; simulation