Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has required governments around the world to suspend face-to-face learning for school and university students. Colleges of pharmacy are faced with the challenge of training students in hospitals that are under considerable pressure at this time. The government of Saudi Arabia has moved all classes and training online to limit the spread of the virus. This study describes the experience of the Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE and APPE) students and preceptors engaged in the virtual IPPE training.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to describe and appraise the implemented virtual IPPE training from the experiences of IPPE and APPE students, and their preceptor. The IPPE students described their experiences in close-ended questionnaires, while APPE students in open-ended questionnaires, and the preceptor described the experiences in narrative. The study focused on highlighting the advantages, opportunities, challenges, and shortcomings of the virtual training.ResultsTwo preceptors and seven APPE students participated in the preparation and administration of the virtual training. The IPPE students’ experiences, based on 87 respondents, were mostly positive. Although IPPE students enjoyed the time flexibility that allowed the learning of new skills and reflection on previous experiences, 15% experienced difficulty finding quiet places with a reliable internet connection or had difficulty working on team-based activities. Moreover, some were anxious about the lack of adequate patient-care experience. On the other hand, the APPE students found the experience enriching as they gained experience and understanding of academic workflow, gained skills, and overcame the challenges they faced during this virtual training experience.ConclusionsFuture training programs should be organized to overcome the challenges and to maximize the benefits of training experiences. Schools of pharmacy may benefit from the training materials constructed, prepared, and administered by APPE students to improve IPPE students’ learning experiences and outcomes.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has required governments around the world to suspend face-to-face learning for school and university students
The preceptor’s experience of the virtual Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) training The decision to offer virtual IPPE Hospital training of pharmacy students has always been a challenge, but the COVID-19 pandemic transformed it from a challenge to a possible threat to schools, students, and training sites
Having reviewed these factors and assessed the appropriateness of available options based on previous and current experience, the college decided that it would be in the best interests of the students, training sites, and the college to: 1) offer the institutional-IPPE training in a virtual training format, and
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has required governments around the world to suspend face-to-face learning for school and university students. Almost all affected countries underwent complete lockdown to limit disease transmission. In most countries, this included the closure of the entire education sector [2]. During the influenza outbreak caused by H1N1 in 2009, instead of closing schools, the government of Taiwan implemented a unique partial school closure policy to mitigate the spread of the virus while minimizing the potential social impact of full-scale school closure. Studies show that this policy effectively reduced the virus reproduction rate, and limited social disturbance [5]. The results of a European study indicate that virtual reality helps student learns better and more, and is expected to be developed for both autonomous learning and for the academic training of health science students [7]
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