An innovative approach to enhancing continuing education activities for practising pharmacists using clicker technology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of an audience response system (i.e. clickers) as an engaging tool for learning and examine its potential for enhancing continuing education (CE) activities. METHODS Attendees at a symposium were invited to utilise and evaluate the use of clickers. Electronic data relating to participant demographics and feedback were collected using clickers during the symposium. RESULTS The 60 attendees who used the clickers were mostly pharmacists (76%) who worked in hospital pharmacy practice (86%). Attendees strongly agreed or agreed that clickers were easy to use (94%), enhanced interaction (98%), allowed comparison of knowledge with that of their peers (78%), brought to attention their knowledge deficits (64%) and should be used again (94%). CONCLUSION The innovative use of clickers at the symposium was very well received by all attendees and offered a number of benefits, including the ability to provide a more engaging and interactive CE activity.