Interactive and Supportive Strategies for Teaching Medication Administration

Discussions for Post Conference

Exploration of Common Diagnoses and Medications

Design an activity where students research and present on the top 10 diagnoses or co-morbidities and the top 15-20 medications commonly encountered in the clinical area. This task encourages familiarity with frequent health conditions and their pharmacological management, linking clinical practice to patient care scenarios. See Appendix for example

Case Studies and Problem-Solving Exercises

Employ post-conference time to delve into case studies that showcase potential complications and ethical challenges in medication administration. Encourage students to participate in problem-solving exercises, fostering critical thinking and discussion on navigating complex situations.

Peer Learning Opportunities

Facilitate environments for peer learning where students can exchange and benefit from each other’s experiences and insights. This can involve paired or group tasks in clinical settings, peer evaluation of medication plans, or discussion circles, enhancing collaborative learning.

Encouraging Questioning and Critical Thinking

Nurture a setting that promotes questioning and critical analysis. Motivate students to inquire about and critically evaluate the actions and principles behind medication administration practices, deepening their understanding and application of these practices.

Use of Checklists and Protocols

Introduce checklists and protocols related to medication administration early in training. These aids help ensure adherence to safety and accuracy, supporting students in remembering and applying key steps in the medication administration process.

Discussion of common medication errors and organizational strategies to prevent them

Review protocols, policies, and restrictions. Explore factors that contribute to errors such as noise, time constraints, lighting, how orders are entered.

To facilitate putting all of these strategies together, a downloadable resource has been provided: Medication Administration Planner (1)