Analyzing the effect of using a simulation-based pharmaceutical home healthcare management education program

Abstract

Community pharmacists require various skills for performing home healthcare and promoting a community-based integrated care system. However, a practical education system specialized in home healthcare had not yet been established. In response to this need, a simulation-based education (SBE) program was created with some scenarios to emphasize the thinking process. This SBE program developed into a postgraduate education program on pharmaceutical management for home healthcare. After introducing the program, 65 trainees, mainly pharmacists working at pharmacies, responded to a questionnaire, and their responses were analyzed with text mining. A rubric was also used to evaluate the degree of their comprehension before and after the program. The results showed that their ability to “extract suspected drugs” and “solve problems” improved after the program. The younger pharmacists had positive opinions about “knowledge” and “information,” whereas the experienced pharmacists were positive about “side effects” and “consideration of symptoms.” Therefore, this SBE program was deemed effective in improving the problem-solving and thinking skills of pharmacists.