Effectiveness of the self-medication practicum involving senior students who have completed practical training

Abstract

Sixth-year Keio University pharmacy students who have completed their practical training are involved in preparing and implementing the self-medication practicum for the fourth-year pre-clinical pharmacy training program. This involvement improved the practical training experience for junior students and encouraged reflection and affirmation of the senior students’ knowledge, enhancing learning for both levels. Questionnaires were administered to fourth-year students before and after this practicum and to sixth-year students after this practicum. The results for the fourth-year students revealed that the senior student involvement in their training allowed them to understand their experiences more and develop a stronger idea of future pharmacy work. On the other hand, the senior students experienced the situation from a patient’s point of view, deepening their knowledge as they reflected on their previous training.