Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess if using computer simulations as a supplemental tool for teaching social determinants of health (SDoH) would impact first-year pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions of SDoH.
Methods: A brief lecture and online poverty game were followed by completion of two, in-class, computer-simulated SDoH clinical scenarios and corresponding case discussion. Students completed a pre- and post-quiz and perception survey with two open-ended questions. Qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions and quantitative analyses of the poverty game choices, quiz, and perception survey were conducted.
Results: In total, 132 students were enrolled in this study. Thematic analysis of the open-ended question asking students what they learned included empathy (42%), general SDoH knowledge (30%), culture/religion (18%), and economic impact (15%). Student perceptions for all teaching modalities had a mean score of 4. Mean quiz scores on the pre- and post-class quizzes were 2.31 (SD 0.93) and 2.51 (SD 0.89), respectively.
Conclusions: Computer simulations can be utilized as a supplemental tool to teach and apply clinical patient cases focused on SDoH. Strategically threading SDoH throughout the pharmacy curriculum is recommended to further develop SDoH knowledge and clinical skills.
Keywords: Disparities; Diversity; Health equity; Simulation; Social determinants of health.
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