Pharmacy students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have commenced the use of  a high-fidelity paediatric simulation mannequin as an essential tool integrated into the School of Pharmacy’s clinical skills training programme as part of their pharmacotherapeutics rotations.

The high-fidelity paediatric simulation mannequin training, the first of its kind in Ghana for Pharmacy education was donated by the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. This donation reflects the strong international collaboration between the two Pharmacy schools, a partnership that was further strengthened during the 2023 visit by Professor Elvis Ofori Ameyaw, Professor Ernest Obese, and Professor Robert Peter Biney to the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, USA. This training by Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Pharmacy Practice is designed as part of the UCC PharmD to enhance students’ competence in medical device use, medication safety, and real-time pharmaceutical care decision-making.

It is conducted in the School’s Skills Laboratory, where students participate in a hands-on practical session using an advanced infant mannequin simulator along with various medical devices. The mannequin replicates real-life clinical scenarios, enabling students to observe airway behaviour, assess vital signs, evaluate various body systems and respond to common emergency situations. This initiative forms part of UCC SoPPS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen experiential learning and better prepare students for multidisciplinary patient-care environments.

During the session, students interacted directly with the simulator, practising paediatric dosing, performing drug administration using appropriate routes, operating clinical devices, and applying pharmacist-led interventions in child health. The training aimed to immerse students in realistic clinical conditions within a safe, controlled environment that closely mirrors actual hospital practice.

The Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Professor Ernest Obese visited the laboratory during the exercise to observe the ongoing training. His presence demonstrated the SoPPS’s commitment to supporting teaching innovations and ensuring that students benefit from modern, competency-based instructional methods. He encouraged students to take full advantage of the school’s resources. During the visit, the Department, commended the school management for providing the platform for clinical skills to become an integral part of the practical curriculum of the pharmacotherapeutic rotations. The Department urged the Dean to consider expanding the initiative with the addition of an adult-sized mannequins, more medical devices, and advanced computer software to further enhance students’ experiential learning.

In response, the Dean’s indicated that the clinical skills lab and its ancillary facilities highlights the School of Pharmacy’s broader objective of equipping future pharmacists with practical skills that complement their theoretical foundation. He elaborated on the SoPPS’s plans to continue expanding the depth of its simulation-based activities as part of its commitment to producing graduates who meet the evolving needs of Ghana’s healthcare system.