2025 Volume 9 Article ID: e09036
In Japan, a super-aged society, the number of patients with dementia is increasing, highlighting the importance of pharmacists’ roles in dementia care. However, opportunities for pharmacy students to learn about dementia care during long-term practical training are limited. To address this, Fukuoka University Hospital introduced a new practical training program in 2024 to help pharmacy students gain a deeper understanding of pharmacists’ roles in dementia care. This study evaluated the program’s educational effectiveness through self-assessment questionnaires and report analysis conducted before and after the training. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ self-assessments across all items, particularly in their understanding of delirium pharmacotherapy, its risk factors, and the roles of pharmacists and other healthcare professionals within dementia care teams. Furthermore, participation in dementia care rounds provided students with concrete opportunities to learn about interprofessional collaboration and the specific roles of pharmacists. The introduction of this dementia care training program was found to be beneficial in enhancing pharmacy students’ practical knowledge and understanding of dementia care, contributing to the development of their professional competencies as future pharmacists.
