The Students’ Evaluation of Practice Sites and Preceptors in Pharmacy Experiential Education

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the current status of experiential education, by analyzing pharmacy students' satisfaction and evaluation for practice sites and preceptors for 3 years from 2014 through 2016. Methods: Students evaluated the practice sites and preceptors using a 5-point and a 4-point Likert scale, respectively. Analysis was performed based on the types of curriculums and practice sites. In addition, sub-analysis was conducted based on the types of health-system pharmacy and the community pharmacy. Results: Total 203 students responded to the survey questionnaires. The 3-year average score of students' satisfaction with practice sites was 4.25. In the sub-analysis conducted based on the types of health-system pharmacy, the score was higher in the tertiary hospital pharmacies than that of the general hospital pharmacies (4.49 vs. 4.06, P<0.001). For community pharmacy, the difference in the score of the 3-year analysis was not significant, depending on the types (4.51 vs. 4.33, P=0.054). The average score of students' evaluation on the preceptors was 3.37 in the 3-year analysis. The score was significantly higher for the preceptors of tertiary hospital pharmacies than those of general hospital pharmacies (3.61 vs. 3.25, P<0.001). For community pharmacy, no significant differences were found, depending on the types of pharmacy (3.53 vs. 3.43, P=0.309). Conclusion: The students' satisfaction with practice sites and preceptors in pharmacy experiential education was high. However, it varied greatly depending on the types of educational institutions. Mutual effort between university and educational institutions is required, to narrow the gap in the degree of students' satisfaction.

A nationwide cross-sectional survey of student experiential practice at community pharmacies in South Korea

“…Evaluation of students via the most current practical experience is an important indicator of the level and quality of education and is the most useful basis for evaluating curriculum [7]. Although there have been several studies on practical education of community pharmacy students in Korea, these have been in the initial stage of practical training, limited to specific geographical areas, or have used small sample sizes; thus, they have not reflected contemporary opinions of students across the country [7–10]. A recent study investigated the responses of pharmacy students over 3 years regarding the current status of experiential education [7].…”

“…Although there have been several studies on practical education of community pharmacy students in Korea, these have been in the initial stage of practical training, limited to specific geographical areas, or have used small sample sizes; thus, they have not reflected contemporary opinions of students across the country [7–10]. A recent study investigated the responses of pharmacy students over 3 years regarding the current status of experiential education [7]. This study was not representative of the country as it was performed in only one city.…”