The impact of a hands-on exercise on confidence and knowledge regarding preparation of medications used during medical emergencies

Objective: To familiarize participants with the proper preparation, use,and labeling of medications utilized in medical emergencies (ME) through a hands-on workshop and to evaluate if this type of instructional method could increase participants' knowledge about use and preparation of those medications and improve confidence in the ability to perform pharmacy-related tasks that occur during a medical emergency. Design: Participants attended a hands-on workshop on the use, preparation, and labeling of medications utilized during medical emergencies. Assessment.: Sixty-five participants (students, residents, and pharmacists) completed the workshop and all assessment materials. Examination scores improved by a mean of 20% (p < 0.0001) for all groups after completion of the workshop. Significantly more participants responded either confident or highly confident on the post-survey domains versus the pre survey, 67% versus 37%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Hands-on learning has positive impact on confidence and knowledge following instruction on medications in the medical emergency settings. This type of learning could be adapted to other topics involving pharmacy-related skills. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.