Enhancing student knowledge and confidence through two sequential total parenteral nutrition active learning approaches

Abstract

Background

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a complex topic involving clinical decision-making, safety checkpoints, and multiple calculations. The most effective methods to ensure student skill mastery in this space are not well described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the implementation of two total parenteral nutrition (TPN) activities for pharmacy students increased student knowledge and confidence. Additionally, to determine which activity student's preferred.

Educational activity

Third year pharmacy students participated in two TPN activities following the didactic lectures on the content: a team-based hand calculations activity utilizing a patient case scenario and a simulated TPN calculator activity on adjusting TPN components. Students completed pre- and post-assessments with ten knowledge-based and five confidence questions. On the post-assessment students completed open-ended questions on perceptions, preferences, and recommendations of the activities.

Evaluation findings

A total of 89 of 92 students (response rate: 96.7 %) completed both pre- and post-assessments for the TPN activities. Student performance on knowledge-based questions improved in seven out of ten areas. Student confidence improved in all five Likert-scale questions. Overall, 83 (93.3 %) of students preferred the hand calculation activity, 2 (2.2 %) preferred the KNIME activity, and 4 (4.5 %) had no preference.

Conclusion

Student knowledge and confidence improved after the implementation of two TPN activities. Students preferred the hand calculation activity over the KNIME calculator.