Approach to Starting Clinical Pharmacy Practice Experience Based on the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Education (2013 Version) in Hokkaido Prefecture

Abstract

The Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Education was revised in 2013 and has been applied to all pharmaceutical universities throughout Japan since 2015. Based on this revised core curriculum for pharmaceutical education, Pharmacy Practice Experiences began in February 2019. This Model Core Curriculum focuses on application of outcome-based education in order to achieve “professional competencies for pharmacists”. The Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy Practice Experiences addressed two main points: the eight common diseases that trainees should learn about, and collaboration between universities, pharmacies, and hospitals to conduct effective training for students. In Hokkaido, the Pharmacy Education Council Hokkaido District Coordination Agency, organized by the Hokkaido Pharmaceutical Association, the Hokkaido Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Hokkaido University, and Hokkaido University of Science, and Health Sciences University of Hokkaido has worked to improve practical pharmacy education since four-year pharmacy education programs. Additionally, the agency is central to coordinating and responding to various issues and working toward the implementation of practical pharmacy training. I contributed as chair of the working group to implement pharmacy practice experiences based on revisions of the core curriculum. In particular, we formulated evaluation standards based on sample evaluations presented at a liaison conference on the practical aspects of pharmacy. In addition, in order to convey the changes in pharmacy practice experiences based on this revised core curriculum for pharmacists, I contributed to the implementation of new pharmacy practices as an instructor at seminars in Hokkaido.