Let's 'play' with molecular pharmacology.
BACKGROUND
Understanding concepts of molecular mechanisms of drug action involves sequential visualization of physiological processes and drug effects, a task that can be difficult at an undergraduate level. Role-play is a teaching-learning methodology whereby active participation of students as well as clear visualization of the phenomenon is used to convey complex physiological concepts. However, its use in teaching drug action, a process that demands understanding of a second level of complexity over the physiological process, has not been investigated. We hypothesized that role-play can be an effective and well accepted method for teaching molecular pharmacology.


METHODS
In an observational study, students were guided to perform a role-play on a selected topic involving drug activity. Students' gain in knowledge was assessed comparing validated pre- and post-test questionnaires as well as class average normalized gain. The acceptance of role-play among undergraduate medical students was evaluated by Likert scale analysis and thematic analysis of their open-ended written responses.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in knowledge (P < 0.001) was noted in the pre- to post-test knowledge scores, while a high gain in class average normalized score was evident. In Likert scale analysis, most students (93%) expressed that role-play was an acceptable way of teaching. In a thematic analysis, themes of both strengths and weaknesses of the session emerged.


CONCLUSIONS
Role-play can be effectively utilized while teaching selected topics of molecular pharmacology in undergraduate medical curricula.
Supriyo
S
Choudhury
Richeek
R
Pradhan
Gairik
G
Sengupta
Manisha
M
Das
Manojit
M
Chatterjee
Ranendra Kumar
RK
Roy
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Suparna
S
Chatterjee
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000193:education*; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012381:Role Playing; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents