TY - JOUR
T1 - A pilot study assessing the value of 3D printed molecular modelling tools for pharmacy student education
AU - Hall, Susan
AU - Grant, Gary
AU - Arora, Devinder
AU - Karaksha, Abdullah
AU - McFarland, Amelia
AU - Lohning, Anna
AU - Anoopkumar-Dukie, Shailendra
PY - 2017/7/1
Y1 - 2017/7/1
N2 - Background and purpose Medicinal chemistry and pharmacology are difficult topics to both teach and learn given the complex nature of drug mechanisms and drug-receptor interactions. This highlights the need for innovative teaching methods to deliver this information to students. One such method is through three-dimensional (3D) printing of enzymes and ligands in the teaching of molecular modelling concepts relating to drug-receptor and enzyme interactions be ligands. This type of printing has been shown to be beneficial in several educational settings; however, to our knowledge, its effectiveness in pharmacy, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology learning and teaching is largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacy student perceptions and the educational benefits of 3D printed molecules in molecular modelling with regards to engagement and learning outcomes when used in a drug-target interaction topic. Educational activity and setting This aim was achieved through administering students a short questionnaire designed to evaluate their engagement and learning outcomes with students also free to provide comments. Findings This study found that nearly all (>90%) students found the activity was useful in improving both student engagement and learning outcomes. Discussion and summary In conclusion, 3D printing may provide an alternative learning activity to help pharmacy students understand the drug-target interaction.
AB - Background and purpose Medicinal chemistry and pharmacology are difficult topics to both teach and learn given the complex nature of drug mechanisms and drug-receptor interactions. This highlights the need for innovative teaching methods to deliver this information to students. One such method is through three-dimensional (3D) printing of enzymes and ligands in the teaching of molecular modelling concepts relating to drug-receptor and enzyme interactions be ligands. This type of printing has been shown to be beneficial in several educational settings; however, to our knowledge, its effectiveness in pharmacy, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology learning and teaching is largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacy student perceptions and the educational benefits of 3D printed molecules in molecular modelling with regards to engagement and learning outcomes when used in a drug-target interaction topic. Educational activity and setting This aim was achieved through administering students a short questionnaire designed to evaluate their engagement and learning outcomes with students also free to provide comments. Findings This study found that nearly all (>90%) students found the activity was useful in improving both student engagement and learning outcomes. Discussion and summary In conclusion, 3D printing may provide an alternative learning activity to help pharmacy students understand the drug-target interaction.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85020043072&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cptl.2017.03.029
DO - 10.1016/j.cptl.2017.03.029
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85020043072
VL - 9
SP - 723
EP - 728
JO - Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning
JF - Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning
SN - 1877-1297
IS - 4
ER -