Evaluating Pharm.D Students’ Views and Perceptions Regarding Practicing Experimental Pharmacology and Animal Handling: A Single-Site Study

Abstract

Animal experimentation is vital to the study of pharmacology during undergraduate studies. Regulations and most commonly, students' preferences are all factors that influence the procurement of and performance of animal experiments. In the higher educational level student’s perceptions and preferences contribute significantly to their education. Various studies indicate that using 3D models could reduce and refine animal experimentation in pharmacology teaching. Some researchers illustrate that an existing gender difference in practical classes with laboratory animals exists, indicating that a particular group may be vulnerable to lower grades if a unilateral teaching method is applied. This study seeks to determine the views and perceptions of pharmacology students to determine if a hybrid study method is better suited to help students to gain good grades and understand medical concepts associated with their field. This study aims to gauge the efficacy of such a system for use in UQU, Saudi Arabia. It illustrates the variation between male and female students regarding preference and learning capability in virtual and practical lessons. This research seeks also to determine whether a significant change in grade exists if students have an option to choose between these learning methods. Data were collected through an online questionnaire survey conducted to 121 third-year undergraduate pharmacology students from Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) college of pharmacy in Makkah, Saudi Arabia in October 2021. Undergraduate Pharm.D pharmacology students in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, have positive views and perceptions regarding handling of live animals in experimental pharmacology regardless of their gender.