Antiviral Pharmacology: A Standardized Patient Case for Preclinical Medical Students

INTRODUCTION: Pharmacology is an important learning topic in preclinical medical education. Simulated patient encounters allow students to apply basic science knowledge in a clinical setting and have been useful in previous studies of pharmacology education. We developed a standardized patient (SP) encounter to reinforce antiviral pharmacology content for first-year medical students. METHODS: Students were instructed to recommend a medication for shingles during an SP encounter and to answer questions from the SP on mechanism of action and adverse effects. Students then attended a large-group debrief session. Following the activity, students evaluated the exercise through a voluntary survey. For knowledge assessment, students were randomized into two groups to complete three multiple-choice questions either before or after the learning activity. RESULTS: In 2020 and 2021, 144 and 145 students, respectively, participated. In 2020, there was no significant difference in the proportion of correct answers between the pre- and postsimulation groups (p > .05). In 2021, the postsimulation group significantly outperformed the presimulation group in knowledge of mechanism of action (p < .01) and adverse effects (p < .01), but no difference was seen between the groups regarding medication selection (p = .27). Most learners assessed the instructional design as effective for the tasks assigned. DISCUSSION: This SP activity provided an opportunity for early medical students to practice integrating antiviral pharmacology knowledge into a patient encounter and was well received by learners. The instructional method offers a clinically relevant approach for reinforcing pharmacology knowledge for preclinical medical students.