Patient interview project in a women's health elective course: student perceptions

ObjectivesTo evaluate student opinions of pharmacists' knowledge of women's health conditions before and after a patient interview, to determine whether patient interviews improve the student's confidence in patient counseling and to determine whether this type of activity is valuable and should be used in other classes.MethodsPharmacy students in a women's health elective interviewed a female patient about a disease state relating to the course content. Students completed a survey before and after the interview. The survey contained items relating to knowledge of the disease state, confidence in communication skills, perception of pharmacists as knowledgeable resources, and the usefulness of the interview.ResultsEighty second-year pharmacy students were enrolled in a women's health elective course and completed the survey over three years. Overall, student self-assessment of knowledge of the patient's disease states improved from before to after the interview as did their confidence with patient counseling. Students expressed that interviewing patients is a valuable learning method that should be used in other classes in the pharmacy curriculum.ConclusionsStudent self-assessment of knowledge and student opinion of pharmacist knowledge of women's health conditions significantly increased after the patient interview. Student confidence significantly improved after completion of this activity. The activity may heighten student awareness regarding pharmacists as a resource in women's health and improve student confidence in interviewing patients.