A physical assessment skills module on vital signs

Objectives: To implement and evaluate a physical assessment module for pharmacy students.

Design: A physical assessment module focusing on vital signs was incorporated into the curriculum for third-year pharmacy students. This module consisted of an online component, a practical skills workshop, and a clinical practice site.

Assessment: The mean score on the in-class quiz, which evaluated students' knowledge of physical assessment after completion of the online module, was 94%. During the practical skills laboratory, 48% of student-measured systolic blood pressure (BP) readings and 60% of student-measured diastolic BP readings were within 5 mmHg of the machine reading. In the assessment of blood pressure technique, areas of difficulty included detection of Korotkoff sounds; steady deflation of cuff; and hand-eye coordination.

Conclusion: Students more frequently underestimated systolic BP than the diastolic BP when compared to the automated machine readings. Findings from this study will be used to improve existing modules and evaluation methods on the physical assessment of vital signs.