Impact of a social/structural determinants of health module combining community-based interviews and sequential active learning on student pharmacist actual and perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Background

It is essential that student pharmacists are equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and address social/structural determinants of health (S/SDH) in practice. This study assessed the impact of a S/SDH module on student pharmacists' academic performance and perceived knowledge/skills/attitudes in navigating S/SDH.

Methods

A six-week simulation/problem-based learning module was developed as part of a spiraled S/SDH curriculum and immersed within second-professional year courses at two universities. In week 1, students viewed recorded interviews of community members with complex S/SDH followed by structured debriefing. In weeks 2-6, students completed four virtual-simulations and four practicums inclusive of S/SDH. Impact was assessed through practicum performance and a 51-item pre/post-survey utilizing a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

Nearly 99% of practicum attempts met the pre-defined competence threshold and more than 50% met the threshold for mastery. Pre- and post-survey response rates were 79% and 71%, respectively. Students agreed that the module enhanced their understanding and skills in navigating S/SDH and prepared them for practice (mean Likert scores exceeded 4/5). Mean (SD) scores for the perceived value of recorded interviews, virtual-simulations, and practicums were 3.9 (0.9), 3.7 (1.0), and 3.8 (0.8), respectively. Five of eight knowledge items and 10 of 12 skill items improved, while S/SDH-related attitude items remained unchanged.

Conclusion

Integration of advanced S/SDH scenarios and active learning into the spiraled S/SDH curriculum was feasible to implement across two PharmD programs and was associated with improved student-perceived knowledge and skills, high practicum performance, and positive learner perceptions.