Involvement of Pharmacy Students in a Campaign on Rational Drug Use: A Brazilian Experience of Active Learning

Abstract

The rational drug use refers to the correct use of the correct medication, which is obtained from a trustable source and with health assistance. The aim of this study was to describe an experience of active learning by the construction of a public campaign on rational drug use that involved undergraduate pharmacy students and to evaluate the students’ satisfaction and perceptions. The activity started with the creation of an educational flyer using a collaborative online platform. Then, a dramatization session took place before the students’ participation in a public outreach campaign on rational drug use. Written feedback from the students, collected by an open question, evaluated their satisfaction and general perceptions regarding the activities. After evaluating clinical cases, raising key-points on the acquisition, administration, storage and disposal of drugs, creating the flyer and performing a training session, the campaign on rational drug use was successfully performed. Most of the students (96.67%) were satisfied with the active learning activities. The students reported being more aware of their role in their collective learning as well as having their communication, critical thinking and writing skills improved. The campaign itself and the related activities showed the importance of active learning methodologies in pharmacy education.