3. Study Designs

3.2 Multi-Site Evaluation Study

In developing this study, consideration was given to the fact that PCCAL was a consortium of all the schools of pharmacy in the United Kingdom and therefore several institutions should be involved in any evaluation. Furthermore, PCCAL has produced an extensive range of courseware. Clearly, with a large portfolio covering such a diverse range of subject areas and approaches, it was necessary to be selective . In order to assist this selection, a survey of all the schools of pharmacy within the consortium was carried out. This showed where the different packages were being used and whether use was planned as part of a course of study or whether the package was simply available as open access on student machines. The following three packages were then selected: Nomenclature of Organic Compounds - a package for first year undergraduates on the naming of chemical compounds, first covered in A level chemistry Simulations of Experiments on the Isolated Guinea Pig Ileum - a large package covering the background theory and simulated experiments normally covered in a live practical session, looking at the effects of drugs on animal tissue Problem Solving In Community Practice - a package based around the identification of errors and legal requirements associated with prescriptions, labels and patient information leaflets commonly used by community pharmacists