Who killed Mr. Brown? A hospital murder mystery in a pharmacy skills course

Abstract

Purpose

To improve critical thinking skills and enhance team dynamics, a pilot study for inclusion of a murder mystery activity within the pharmacy practice skills laboratory was designed for student pharmacists.

Methods

In groups, students participated in a murder mystery activity and were assessed via rubrics to critically evaluate potential reasons for a patient’s death and find solutions for process improvements. Through an optional survey, students were asked about their group’s ability to work as part of a healthcare team, which included identification of conflict management techniques. Faculty used an inductive coding process on student feedback to identify strengths and opportunities for growth.

Results

All groups successfully completed the patient’s cause of death and root cause analysis. Overall, students agreed their teams worked well together in solving this mystery. Communication was found to be both a strength and a weakness among group members and many students were able to self-identify conflict management strategies that were utilized during the activities.

Conclusion

Use of a murder mystery activity in a pharmacy skills laboratory is a unique approach to foster development of critical thinking skills and highlights the complexity with which a healthcare team must operate together to provide patient care.

Keywords:

• Clinical skills
• communication skills
• investigations
• instructional design
• other

Disclosure statement

The authors have no financial disclosures or conflicts of interest to report.

Author contributions

Rachel Kavanaugh – Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review and Editing, Visualization, Project Administration.

Zachary Pape – Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review and Editing, Visualization.

Bonnie Latourette – Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review and Editing, Visualization.

Stefanie Lehmier – Conceptualization, Writing – Original Draft, Writing – Review and Editing.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel Kavanaugh

Rachel Kavanaugh, PharmD, BCACP, is an Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy and the Director of Professional Labs for Year 2 of their accelerated, three-year curriculum. She is also an ambulatory clinical pharmacist at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin focusing on geriatrics and primary care.

Zachary Pape

Zachary A. Pape, PharmD, BCACP, is an Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy in the Department of Clinical Sciences. He is also an ambulatory clinical pharmacist at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin within the cardiology specialty outpatient clinic.

Bonnie LaTourette

Bonnie LaTourette, PharmD, BCPS, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. She is a clinical inpatient pharmacist at Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin focused in internal medicine and critical care.

Stefanie Lehmier

Stefanie Lehmier, PharmD, BCPS, is an Assistant Professor at the NEOMED College of Pharmacy. Additionally, she serves as a clinical pharmacist in the Ambulatory Care setting at University Hospitals Parma Medical Center where she assists in chronic disease state management.