Exploring and Expanding Pharmacy Practice and Education in Mental Health via Simulated Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training improves self-reported skills, confidence, and preparedness to provide mental health support. Little research involves observation of actual MHFA behaviours, especially in relation to providing psychosis care. Simulated patient (SP) role-plays enable behavioural assessment, and involving mental health consumers/carers to co-design scenarios enhances authenticity. This thesis aimed to co-design and evaluate simulated mental health role-plays for pharmacy education and practice.

Methods: A systematic review explored mental health simulation in pharmacy education and practice. Three psychosis care scenarios and marking rubrics were co-designed and content validated with mental health stakeholders, then evaluated with final year pharmacy students post-MHFA training. Role-play scores and their impact on students’ mental health confidence and stigma were evaluated. Focus groups explored students’ experiences. Role-plays were adapted and evaluated in an educational workshop with pharmacists, who were then interviewed about their workshop experiences and opinions on using mental health role-plays in clinical settings (mystery shopping).

Results: Few simulation studies involved psychosis care. Mental health SP role-plays provided a safe, authentic learning experience for students and pharmacists to practise MHFA skills, and were associated with improved confidence, stigma, and intended behaviours relating to mental illness. Pharmacists desire mental health skills practice via mystery shopping in clinical settings, however safeguards are needed to support the mental health of all participants.

Conclusions: SP role-plays could complement MHFA training for learners to practise skills. Co-design of educational material should continue with people with lived experience. SP role-plays in clinical practice may be an acceptable, feasible way to observe and shape mental health support behaviours over time.