An Active-Learning Laboratory on Immunizations

Abstract

Objective. To implement and evaluate an active-learning laboratory activity to teach pharmacy students about influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines. Design. The laboratory session was divided into 6 immunization stations: 3 stations on influenza including a pediatrics station, and 1 station each for pneumococcal, shingles, and anaphylaxis. Assessment. Although 118 of 123 (95.9%) students had completed an immunization training certificate prior to attending the laboratory, the average score on a pre-assessment to measure immunization knowledge and confidence was 56%. The post-assessment score was 87.4%. Students' confidence improved by 18.7% to 51.2% in each of the 5 areas assessed. Most respondents rated the activity overall as good or excellent on a post-activity evaluation.Conclusion. An active-learning approach to teaching immunizations allowed students to gain knowledge in simulated real-world experiences and reinforced key concepts on influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines.

Student Knowledge and Confidence in an Elective Clinical Toxicology Course Using Active-Learning Techniques

“…3 Examples in the pharmacy education literature primarily describe self-assessed confidence as 1 of the metrics when evaluating instructional designs, but has been measured globally and by retrospective self-evaluation using survey questions. [4][5][6] Attempts to correlate performance on assessments and self-reported global measures of confidence in the medical and nursing education literature have varied, with correlations ranging from weak to no association. 3,7,8 One of the reasons postulated for a lack of correlation is that people have a difficult time accurately assigning summary assessments outside the context of the event.…”

Immunization Education in US Pharmacy Colleges and Schools

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15] In addition to homegrown activities, a number of colleges/schools offer the APhA immunization training program, an approved certificate course for pharmacists who plan to engage in vaccination. 16 Although the APhA program is not allinclusive and the vast majority of colleges/schools continue to integrate immunization education into their required/core curricula, this certificate program now appears to be the standard way in which colleges/schools are educating students on the topic of immunization: This program is overseen by experts in the field, provides a standardized way in which pharmacists are trained, incorporates activelearning components, and requires demonstration of competency through a post-examination and via demonstration of vaccination technique.…”

“…[7][8][9] The manner in which and the extent to which this topic is taught at US colleges and schools of pharmacy is unknown, but based on a variety of published reports, appears to vary across the country. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent to which immunization is taught at US colleges/schools of pharmacy and secondarily, to characterize what immunization/vaccinerelated content is being taught.…”

Evaluation of student confidence in influenza immunization administration using a multi-modal teaching approach

“…1 In pharmacy schools that offer education in pharmacy-based immunization services (PBIS), the nationally recognized American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery program has been increasingly used to provide this education and training to students. [7][8][9] Even with the APhA program requirement for demonstrating competence in intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccine administration, confidence in immunization delivery is further increased with additional opportunities to practice this skill. A positive correlation was found between level of comfort with handling needles and intention to provide PBIS in a recent study.…”

“…10 Active-learning laboratories or simulations have also been used in an attempt to increase knowledge and confidence in a controlled environment. 8 These activities provide opportunities to use case-based learning, gain further practice in immunization administration, and expand on topics such as state-specific regulations and management of localized or systemic vaccine reactions, which may or may not have been covered fully during a training course.…”