Student perspectives on peer education using a virtual platform to enhance advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic disruptions in the education of pharmacy students who graduated in 2022. As an additional active learning opportunity at a New York City hospital site with multiple preceptors and faculty, a monthly student-led virtual educational conference was implemented. The objective of this study was to assess student perspectives on the implementation of a virtual peer education conference. Methods: Between May 2021 and May 2022, a total of twenty-eight students participated as presenters or attendees. All students completed a 13-item survey to evaluate the impact their participation in the virtual conference had on their overall learning and how similar opportunities could impact their future learning experiences. Results: When asked to rate on a scale from 1 (did NOT improve at all) to 5 (greatly improved my learning), 93% (26/28) of students rated their change in learning after attending the student-led conference as a four or five. Students identified that participation enhanced their drug/disease state knowledge, improved their presentation skills and/or improved their critical thinking and clinical application skills. Conclusion: In the future, advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) can consider the inclusion of peer education through an online platform as a strategy to facilitate learning in pharmacy programmes.