Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums
Background: The University of British Columbia (UBC) Pharmacists Clinic (the Clinic) is a pharmacist-led patient care clinic serving as a practice site for experiential education in a team-based primary care practice. Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, pharmacy practice sit...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing
2023-11-01
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| Series: | INNOVATIONS in Pharmacy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/innovations/article/view/4985 |
| _version_ | 1827692238987067392 |
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| author | Rebecca Leung Hayley Hefford Caitlin Chew Jamie Yuen |
| author_facet | Rebecca Leung Hayley Hefford Caitlin Chew Jamie Yuen |
| author_sort | Rebecca Leung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Background: The University of British Columbia (UBC) Pharmacists Clinic (the Clinic) is a pharmacist-led patient care clinic serving as a practice site for experiential education in a team-based primary care practice. Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, pharmacy practice sites have transitioned some of their experiential education activities to a virtual format. Currently, there is limited literature on developing best teaching practices which are conducive to students’ success in a virtual environment.
Objective: To determine the factors that enable successful development of a virtual patient care practicum experience at a university clinic from the perspectives of student pharmacists and practice educators.
Methods: A qualitative research methodology was used to gain the perspectives of student pharmacists and practice educators. Separate focus group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured approach and consisted of questions aimed at gathering insight into participant perspectives on virtual practicums. The focus group sessions were audio recorded with participant consent and transcribed. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data.
Results: Three pharmacist practice educators and three student pharmacists participated in their respective focus groups. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Six major themes emerged: (1) technology optimization, (2) patient care related activities, (3) student-practice educator relationship, (4) student skill development, (5) student support, and (6) in-person vs virtual practicum preferences. Proposed strategies to mitigate the limitations of virtual practicums included setting communication guidelines, arranging enriching learning opportunities, and having reliable internet connection.
Conclusion: The participants in this study provided insight on factors to support successful development and delivery of a virtual patient care practicum. The results from this study can be applied to other health disciplines and their approach to virtual practicums during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:18:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e4ae8ec99f314b5aa4915440e846b794 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2155-0417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:18:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | INNOVATIONS in Pharmacy |
| spelling | doaj.art-e4ae8ec99f314b5aa4915440e846b7942023-11-21T20:17:20ZengUniversity of Minnesota Libraries PublishingINNOVATIONS in Pharmacy2155-04172023-11-0114410.24926/iip.v14i4.4985Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care PracticumsRebecca Leung0Hayley Hefford1Caitlin Chew2Jamie Yuen3Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, CanadaProvidence Health Care, Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, BC, CanadaChildren’s & Women’s Health Centre for British Columbia, Pharmacy Services, Vancouver, BC, CanadaFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Background: The University of British Columbia (UBC) Pharmacists Clinic (the Clinic) is a pharmacist-led patient care clinic serving as a practice site for experiential education in a team-based primary care practice. Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19, pharmacy practice sites have transitioned some of their experiential education activities to a virtual format. Currently, there is limited literature on developing best teaching practices which are conducive to students’ success in a virtual environment. Objective: To determine the factors that enable successful development of a virtual patient care practicum experience at a university clinic from the perspectives of student pharmacists and practice educators. Methods: A qualitative research methodology was used to gain the perspectives of student pharmacists and practice educators. Separate focus group interviews were conducted using a semi-structured approach and consisted of questions aimed at gathering insight into participant perspectives on virtual practicums. The focus group sessions were audio recorded with participant consent and transcribed. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the data. Results: Three pharmacist practice educators and three student pharmacists participated in their respective focus groups. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Six major themes emerged: (1) technology optimization, (2) patient care related activities, (3) student-practice educator relationship, (4) student skill development, (5) student support, and (6) in-person vs virtual practicum preferences. Proposed strategies to mitigate the limitations of virtual practicums included setting communication guidelines, arranging enriching learning opportunities, and having reliable internet connection. Conclusion: The participants in this study provided insight on factors to support successful development and delivery of a virtual patient care practicum. The results from this study can be applied to other health disciplines and their approach to virtual practicums during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/innovations/article/view/4985pharmacy studenteducationpracticumpreceptor |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca Leung Hayley Hefford Caitlin Chew Jamie Yuen Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums INNOVATIONS in Pharmacy pharmacy student education practicum preceptor |
| title | Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums |
| title_full | Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums |
| title_fullStr | Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums |
| title_short | Strategies Proposed by Students and Pharmacists for Virtual Experiential Patient Care Practicums |
| title_sort | strategies proposed by students and pharmacists for virtual experiential patient care practicums |
| topic | pharmacy student education practicum preceptor |
| url | https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/innovations/article/view/4985 |
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