Early-exposure training involving vital sign assessment was conducted for first-year undergraduates of a 6-year pharmaceutical course.
To evaluate the undergraduates’ motivation for obtaining pharmaceutical knowledge, the undergraduates were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after the early-exposure training program. To evaluate their satisfaction level with the vital signs training, the undergraduates were asked to complete a questionnaire after undergoing the training.
Individual evaluations of subjects were obtained according to 4-point Likert scale items. We analyzed the results using customer satisfaction (CS) analysis to obtain information that would help increase the undergraduates’ internal motivation for learning and increase their satisfaction with the vital signs training.
The results indicated that 41.3% and 47.4% (1-top ratio) of the undergraduates had a strong desire to study pharmacy before and after this early-exposure training, respectively.
We found that 34.8 % (1-top ratio) of the undergraduates were very satisfied with the educational program for vital signs training.
The CS analysis results indicated that the areas requiring most improvement with respect to motivation for learning were “having some idea regarding the kind of work performed by medical staff members” and “experiencing a sense of fulfillment with pharmacy work.” Improvement could not be achieved in these areas through this early-exposure training.
The CS analysis results also indicated that the areas requiring most improvement with respect to satisfaction with the vital sign training were “preparation and review of lessons during after-school hours,” “a sense of purpose,” and “the time allotted for training.”
