NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ852680
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1011-3487
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Building Successful Therapeutics into a Problem-Based Medical Curriculum in Africa
Harries, C. S.; Mbali, C.; Botha, J.
South African Journal of Higher Education, v20 n3 p426-441 2006
Irrational prescribing originates in undergraduate therapeutics education, where prescribing skills have been overlooked. P-drug, a rational prescribing approach, has been developed in response to poor prescribing. In 2004, the first cohort of PBL final year students at Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine reported feeling unprepared to prescribe medicines and requested help. We aimed to assist students in improving their prescribing competence and confidence. Students were tested and asked to rate their confidence for some of their responses. A stratified sample of 10 of these students, were interviewed, where they prescribed treatment for 4 paper cases. A week-long intervention was designed, covering key areas of weakness and prescribing skills and employing several learning strategies. Students evaluated the course, rating how they felt key competences changed. Test results averaged 47%. True/false questions were better answered (69%) than short answer questions (21%), the worst of these testing drug level interpretation (48%) and dosage calculation (5%) respectively. Students interviewed gave appropriate treatment for 4 of 40 cases and important patient information in only 1 case. Eight students gave an appropriate text for further information. The student evaluation showed an improvement for all prescribing abilities. (Contains 4 tables.)
Unisa Press. Preller Street, P.O. Box 392, Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0003, South Africa. Tel: +27-24-298960; Fax: +27-24-293449; e-mail: sajhe@vodamail.co.za; Web site: http://www.sajhe.org.za
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Africa; South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A