INNOVATIONS in pharmacy

Impact of Simulation Manikins to Train Pharmacy Students in Nasal, Throat, and Oral Fluid Swab Collection

Ginelle Bryant

Drake University

Michelle Bottenberg

Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Hayden Smith

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines

MacKenzie Challoner

Eli Lilly and Co

Tarah Fisher

Veterans Affairs Central Iowa Health Care System

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v14i4.5046

Keywords: Manikins, Infectious Diseases, Nasal, Throat, Oral Fluid Swab Collection

---

Abstract

Introduction:

A point-of-care testing (POCT) certificate was implemented in a required pharmacy skills-based course. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of manikins on student confidence in performing POCT for infectious diseases.

Innovation:

Manikins were used to train second-year pharmacy students on nasal swabs, throat swabs, and oral fluid swabs. Student skills were assessed on manikins first, then on a peer. Proficiency was defined as a score of 90% or higher. Students completed a pre- and post-training survey regarding their confidence performing swabs. Student confidence was based on Likert style responses (i.e., ‘Strongly Disagree’ [score: 1], to ‘Strongly Agree’ [score: 5]) performing the swabs. Median change in confidence was calculated using quantile regression.   

Findings:

All students (n=63) demonstrated proficiency in performing swabs. Median confidence for nasal, throat, and oral fluid swabs changed by 2.0 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.5), 2.0 (95% CI: 1.5, 2.5), and 2.0 (95%CI: 1.3, 2.7), respectively. The majority of students reported time spent practicing was adequate for the nasal (n=51, 81%), throat (n=51, 81%), and oral fluid swab (n=59, 94%). All participating students reported manikins to be moderately (n=17, 27%) or extremely (n=46, 73%) valuable, and all students rated their overall experience with manikins as positive (n=63, 100%). Student comments revealed manikins helped to visualize anatomy, practice skills without peer discomfort, and minimize risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that inclusion of practice on manikins increased student confidence in performing POCT for infectious diseases.  In addition, the majority of students indicated that the use of manikins was valuable to their learning and reported feeling prepared to perform POCT in practice after using the manikins.