Retention of Students' Ability to Incorporate a Computer into Simulated Patient Encounters.

Objective. To assess pharmacy students' ability to incorporate laptop computers into simulated patient encounters (SPEs) in the second professional year (P2) and assess their ability to retain these skills into the next professional year. Students' awareness and confidence in using computers was also assessed. Methods. P2 students were surveyed about their awareness of and confidence in incorporating a computer into an SPE. Their performance using a computer in an SPE was evaluated using a blinded rubric. Next, they received formal education on this skill. Students then completed the same questionnaire and were evaluated on their ability to use a computer in another SPE. In the third year, they were evaluated using the same rubric on four activities and completed the same questionnaire at the end of each semester. Results. There were 166 students in the two cohorts. Of those, 158 students were evaluated using the rubric and 166 students completed the four questionnaires. Student performance improved from the pre-instruction activity evaluation (43% earned acceptable) to post-instruction (66% earned acceptable). This performance improvement was retained for four activities in the third year (80%, 85%, 79%, and 92% earning acceptable ratings, respectively). Students' questionnaires reported an improved confidence incorporating a computer into the patient encounter after receiving formal instruction. This perception of improved confidence was maintained throughout the third year. Conclusion. Student performance improved throughout three semesters of computer use during SPEs. Students felt more confident and knowledgeable about integrating a computer into an SPE after instruction.