Motivational interviewing education: Creation and assessment of a learning module implemented among advanced pharmacy practice students.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this prospective nonrandomized study (quasi-experimental), pre-/post-intervention design was to implement and assess a formal orientation training program for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) students focusing on skills related to motivational interviewing (MI).

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING

Students were assessed on their knowledge, perceived ability, and perceived need to incorporate MI in practice using a pre-/posttest. Ability was assessed via student-conducted patient interviews, and performance was compared to published standards. Satisfaction with the training program was reviewed using a Likert scale questionnaire. Fourteen APPE students from three colleges of pharmacy were enrolled based on pre-assigned community experience placement. Students participated in a didactic training phase consisting of on-line knowledge acquisition and assessments. A modeling phase was implemented with role-play experiences and simulated video assessments. A shadowing phase was incorporated consisting of students observing a preceptor prior to independently conducting patient interviews. Interactions were audio recorded and reviewed by a preceptor with verbal and written feedback provided twice monthly using a standardized rubric.

FINDINGS

Data revealed statistically significant improvements in all categories of the pre-/posttest. MI ability results showed statistically significant improvements as well. Performance scores were higher than goal values in video simulated assessments. Overall student satisfaction with the training program was 4.3 out of 5.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Data suggests the training program increased students understanding and ability to perform MI in patient interviews. High quality of student performance is also suggested due to trained students' post scores being higher than goal values published by scoring manual.