抄録
Six-year pharmacy education curriculums started in Japan in April 2006 and universities have been conducting early exposure to hospital work programs.We conducted such a program at Okayama University hospital for 45 first-year undergraduate pharmacy students at Okayama University.In the hospital the students visited a pharmacy,clinical trial center,hospital ward,rehabilitation division and an integrated support center for patients,led by hospital pharmacists and teachers of the faculty of pharmacy.In the pharmacy,they experienced the dispensing of a simulated prescription.In the present program,we obtained the help of not only pharmacists but also other medical staff including physicians,nurses,clinical research coordinators,physical therapists,social workers,and arranged it so that students could feel the importance of the medical care team.
A questionnaire survey conducted before and after the early exposure to hospital work program indicated that all of students were satisfied with it,and many students were more aware of the roles of hospital pharmacists and their skills.In addition,comments made by students showed that they had greater motivation for learning,were more aware of the importance of the medical care team and communication skills.These results suggest that it would be useful to introduce such early exposure to hospital work programs into primary education for pharmacy students.
