Objective. To develop simulator goggles that produce disease-specific characteristics of selected low vision conditions for use in pharmacy education. Methods. Individual sets of simulator goggles were developed for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. Students rated the presence and severity of disease-specific characteristics after wearing each pair of goggles while manipulating medicationrelated materials. Results. One hundred students completed the study. Characteristic symptoms for each disease state were experienced at a moderate to severe level (p , 0.0001). Subjects indicated a high level of agreement among symptom ratings for each disease (Kendall's coefficient 5 0.82). Conclusions. Low vision simulator goggles reliably produced the characteristics of selected conditions experienced in a medication management environment. Further studies are needed to identify suitable patient-centered learning activities using these goggles.
Objective. To implement and evaluate a simulation activity and related assignments within a geriatric elective to teach pharmacy students about the medication management difficulties experienced by low-vision patients. Design. Students wore low-vision simulation goggles while engaging in medication management tasks. Students also reflected on their experiences in journals and developed modalities to improve low-vision patients' access to prescription information. Assessment. Results of a perception survey indicated that students were able to identify and differentiate among various low-vision medication management difficulties. Students' reflections suggested that they recognized the challenges encountered by low-vision patients. All patient assistance project submissions were suitable for the targeted populations and medication management difficulties. Peer review and student feedback of the activities were favorable. Conclusion. Through this low-vision goggle simulation exercise and other activities, students were able to identify the medication management difficulties encountered by low-vision patients and propose solutions to their drug information access problems.
Louisiana community pharmacists have the ability to screen and identify tobacco-dependent patients ready to quit tobacco use, but barriers exist that prevent a large number of these patients from being referred to available, free cessation counseling.
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