Current methods used to teach the medication history interview to doctor of pharmacy students

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, Summer 2002 by Ellington, Andrea Michelle, Barnett, Candace W, Johnson, Diane R, Nykamp, Diane

Once the students were instructed, 44 (97.8 percent) schools followed this up with hands-on practice. This practice most often included: role playing with other students (64.4 percent), role playing with simulated patients (35.6 percent), and/or conducting an actual interview (53.3 percent) (Table VI).

Students were then evaluated on their medication history interviewing experience. At 33 (73.3 percent) schools students were evaluated by completing a written medication history interview form during the interview. At 20 (44.4 percent) schools the "patient" gave feedback to the student about how the interview was conducted (Table VII).

Information regarding 13 specific communication skills for effective interviewing was also collected. Respondents reported an average of 8.62 /- 2.94 communications skills were being taught with a range of 3-13. The most common interview skills taught to the students were: open- and closed-ended questions (95.6 percent), active listening (93.3 percent), and avoidance of leading questions (88.9 percent). A minority covered avoiding why questions (46.7 percent), techniques to clarify conflicting information (44.4 percent) and techniques for handling previously partially answered questions (31.1 percent) (Table VIII).

CONCLUSIONS

As schools of pharmacy introduce practice experiences earlier in the curriculum, it would be beneficial to introduce the medication history interview early in the curriculum as well. The survey indicated this is being done at approximately half of the schools. In addition, students would be better equipped to conduct an actual medication history interview if they were taught more of the necessary communication skills. The study showed no consistency in specific communication skills taught. Furthermore, no single skill was taught by all schools of pharmacy.

A need for a teaching tool to illustrate a medication history was expressed. While a number of schools opt to conduct a live interview for demonstration purposes, a scripted, prerecorded interview would seem beneficial to ensure that all communication skills are properly demonstrated.

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