OBJECTIVE: To compare student accuracy in measuring normal and high blood pressures using a simulator arm. METHODS: In this prospective, single-blind, study involving third-year pharmacy students, simulator arms were programmed with prespecified normal and high blood pressures. Students measured preset normal and high diastolic and systolic blood pressure using a crossover design. RESULTS:One hundred sixteen students completed both blood pressure measurements. There was a significant difference between the accuracy of high systolic blood pressure (HSBP) measurement and normal systolic blood pressure (NSBP) measurement (mean HSBP difference 8.4 ± 10.9 mmHg vs NSBP 3.6 ± 6.4 mmHg; p<0.001). However, there was no difference between the accuracy of high diastolic blood pressure (HDBP) measurement and normal diastolic blood pressure (NDBP) measurement (mean HDBP difference 6.8 ± 9.6 mmHg vs. mean NDBP difference 4.6 ± 4.5 mmHg; p=0.089). CONCLUSIONS:Pharmacy students may need additional instruction and experience with taking high blood pressure measurements to ensure they are able to accurately assess this important vital sign.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To compare student accuracy in measuring normal and high blood pressures using a simulator arm. METHODS: In this prospective, single-blind, study involving third-year pharmacy students, simulator arms were programmed with prespecified normal and high blood pressures. Students measured preset normal and high diastolic and systolic blood pressure using a crossover design. RESULTS: One hundred sixteen students completed both blood pressure measurements. There was a significant difference between the accuracy of high systolic blood pressure (HSBP) measurement and normal systolic blood pressure (NSBP) measurement (mean HSBP difference 8.4 ± 10.9 mmHg vs NSBP 3.6 ± 6.4 mmHg; p<0.001). However, there was no difference between the accuracy of high diastolic blood pressure (HDBP) measurement and normal diastolic blood pressure (NDBP) measurement (mean HDBP difference 6.8 ± 9.6 mmHg vs. mean NDBP difference 4.6 ± 4.5 mmHg; p=0.089). CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy students may need additional instruction and experience with taking high blood pressure measurements to ensure they are able to accurately assess this important vital sign.
Authors: Sarah M Westberg; Jeff Adams; Kathleen Thiede; Timothy P Stratton; Melissa A Bumgardner Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2006-04-15 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Rosemarie Fernandez; Dennis Parker; James S Kalus; Douglas Miller; Scott Compton Journal: Am J Pharm Educ Date: 2007-06-15 Impact factor: 2.047
Authors: Michael K Rakotz; Raymond R Townsend; Jianing Yang; Bruce S Alpert; Kathleen A Heneghan; Matthew Wynia; Gregory D Wozniak Journal: J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) Date: 2017-04-28 Impact factor: 3.738