Impact of a social/structural determinants of health module combining community-based interviews and sequential active learning on student pharmacist actual and perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

BACKGROUND: It is essential that student pharmacists are equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify and address social/structural determinants of health (S/SDH) in practice. This study assessed the impact of a S/SDH module on student pharmacists' academic performance and perceived knowledge/skills/attitudes in navigating S/SDH. METHODS: A six-week simulation/problem-based learning module was developed as part of a spiraled S/SDH curriculum and immersed within second-professional year courses at two universities. In week 1, students viewed recorded interviews of community members with complex S/SDH followed by structured debriefing. In weeks 2-6, students completed four virtual-simulations and four practicums inclusive of S/SDH. Impact was assessed through practicum performance and a 51-item pre/post-survey utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Nearly 99% of practicum attempts met the pre-defined competence threshold and more than 50% met the threshold for mastery. Pre- and post-survey response rates were 79% and 71%, respectively. Students agreed that the module enhanced their understanding and skills in navigating S/SDH and prepared them for practice (mean Likert scores exceeded 4/5). Mean (SD) scores for the perceived value of recorded interviews, virtual-simulations, and practicums were 3.9 (0.9), 3.7 (1.0), and 3.8 (0.8), respectively. Five of eight knowledge items and 10 of 12 skill items improved, while S/SDH-related attitude items remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Integration of advanced S/SDH scenarios and active learning into the spiraled S/SDH curriculum was feasible to implement across two PharmD programs and was associated with improved student-perceived knowledge and skills, high practicum performance, and positive learner perceptions.