Comparing effectiveness of high-fidelity human patient simulation vs case-based learning in pharmacy education.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether human patient simulation (HPS) is superior to case-based learning (CBL) in teaching diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and thyroid storm (TS) to pharmacy students.

DESIGN

In this cross-over, open-label, single center, randomized control trial, final-year undergraduate pharmacy students enrolled in an applied therapeutics course were randomized to HPS or CBL groups. Pretest, posttest, knowledge retention tests, and satisfaction survey were administered to students.

ASSESSMENT

One hundred seventy-four students participated in this study. The effect sizes attributable to HPS were larger than CBL in both cases. HPS groups performed significantly better in posttest and knowledge retention test compared to CBL groups pertaining to TS case (p < 0.05). Students expressed high levels of satisfaction with HPS sessions.

CONCLUSION

HPS was superior to CBL in teaching DKA and TS to final-year undergraduate pharmacy students.