Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
BMC Med Educ. 2021 Nov 6;21(1):562. doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02977-1.
The use of simulated patients (SPs) is considered a significant resource for teaching and assessing clinical and communication skills in health professional education. We conducted this study to explore pharmacy students' perspective towards the utilization of SPs in Qatar and to identify areas that require improvement.
An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was used among students and recent graduates of the College of Pharmacy at Qatar University (QU-CPH). First, their perspectives toward the current utilization of SPs at QU-CPH was explored using a quantitative cross-sectional study design. Following this, we conducted six focus group discussions based on the analysis of the questionnaire results. The findings of the two phases were interpreted through integration of the quantitative and qualitative phases.
The majority of the participants (> 90%) reported that interactions with SPs are important in building good communication and counseling skills during professional skills course activities. Similarly, most of the respondents (80%) indicated that interactions with SPs prepared them to apply the clinical skills gained during professional skills and patient assessment sessions in real-life. In addition, they reported that interactions with SPs during competency-based assessments were good experiences. The participants disagreed with the notion that interaction with SPs of opposite gender was uncomfortable for them. Themes identified from the focus groups include: interactions with trained SPs compared to faculty SPs, standardization and consistency of SPs' roles, communication and language barriers, simulations of real-life case scenarios, SPs' competence and preparedness, psychological impact associated with interaction with SPs, proposed strategies for improving the SP program. Identified areas for improvement include the need for strengthening the SP training and orientation program as well as the SP selection criteria.
This study showed a positive impact of the utilization of SPs in this pharmacy curriculum as perceived by students and alumni. However, the SP program needs to be optimized in terms of the training and orientation of SPs.
模拟患者（SP）的使用被认为是医疗专业教育中教授和评估临床和沟通技能的重要资源。我们进行这项研究是为了探讨卡塔尔药学专业学生对 SP 使用的看法，并确定需要改进的领域。
本研究采用了解释性顺序混合方法设计，在卡塔尔大学药学院的学生和最近的毕业生中进行。首先，使用横断面研究设计，探索他们对 QU-CPH 目前使用 SP 的看法。在此之后，根据问卷结果进行了六组焦点小组讨论。通过整合定量和定性阶段，解释了这两个阶段的发现。
大多数参与者（>90%）报告说，与 SP 的互动对于在专业技能课程活动中建立良好的沟通和咨询技能非常重要。同样，大多数受访者（80%）表示，与 SP 的互动使他们能够将在专业技能和患者评估课程中获得的临床技能应用于现实生活中。此外，他们报告说，在基于能力的评估中与 SP 的互动是很好的体验。参与者不同意与他们性别相反的 SP 互动让他们感到不舒服的观点。从焦点小组中确定的主题包括：与经过培训的 SP 相比与教职员工 SP 的互动、SP 角色的标准化和一致性、沟通和语言障碍、现实案例场景的模拟、SP 的能力和准备情况、与 SP 互动相关的心理影响、改进 SP 计划的建议策略。确定的改进领域包括需要加强 SP 培训和定向计划以及 SP 选择标准。
这项研究表明，学生和校友认为该药学课程中使用 SP 具有积极影响。然而，SP 计划需要在 SP 的培训和定向方面进行优化。
