Evaluation of student perceptions of standardized patient simulation on patient counseling confidence during introductory pharmacy practice experiences

Objective: To evaluate student pharmacists' overall perceptions about how standardized patient (SP) encounters influence their counseling confidence during introductoiy pharmacy practice experiences rotations, as well as their communication skills in patient counseling. Methods: A longitudinal survey using retrospective pre- and post-assessment method was given to first-year pharmacy students over two consecutive years via a self-administered questionnaire. The survey measured students' perceptions about (I) the general usefulness of SP simulation on IPPE performance and (2) the impact of SP simulation on patient counseling confidence before and after SP encounters. Results: Of the 128 students, the majority of students agreed that interacting with SPs was useful (N = 114) and realistic (N = 94). Overall, 76% (N = 102) also agreed that the SP program helped improve their interactions with real patients during IPPE rotations. Comparing patient counseling confidence, students' perceptions are significantly improved for all counseling skills and techniques after SP encounters (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Students' perceptions and acceptance of the SP simulation were positive. Using SPs could significantly improve student patient counseling confidence during IPPE rotations. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.