Abstract
In Japan, there is growing discussion about the pharmaceutical study protocol, with practical on-the-job medical training particularly in the spotlight. Nihon University College of Pharmacy and the Chiba Pharmaceutical Association have taken the initiative of implementing on-the-job observations and training in the second year of study, so that students can receive practical training early on in their education. Our objective in this paper was to study the value of on-the-job training by polling both pharmaceutical students and pharmacies on the specifics of such training.
A questionnaire was distributed to both students and pharmacies. Students were questioned about changes in their impression of pharmacy work before and after practical training while the pharmacies were questioned about the specifics of the training and the contents of the texts prepared by the Chiba Pharmaceutical Association.
As a result, 73.7% of the students chose to undergo practical training. The questionnaire response rate of students was 76.4%, while that of the pharmacies was 93.3%. Topping the list of student expectations from on-the-job pharmacy training were “atmosphere” at 90.2% and “dispensing” at 79.7%, and the answers from pharmacies revealed that these were implemented at the majority of the facilities. An additional look at expectations according to the desired career track revealed that the sense of having obtained a firm grasp on the working atmosphere of a pharmacy was strong among those who had chosen dispensing as their principle course of duty.
The study revealed no statistically significant difference in student expectations for training and the actual training received in “dispensing” and “atmosphere”, but a statistically significant difference was observed for “Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs, ” “medical insurance” and “nursing-care insurance” (p<0.001). In addition, when receiving practical training, the students were able to experience first-hand the breadth of challenges and difficulties encountered in the occupation of the pharmacist. The second-year students, who were just beginning their specialized coursework, are not likely to completely grasp the specifics of the occupation. However, obtaining a better grasp of this occupation as a whole will in deep help such students in both their future coursework and their line of study.
