Pharmacy students' preparation to provide pharmaceutical care for patients with non-communicable diseases in six ASEAN countries: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Pharmacy education programs prepare graduates to promote health for patients with noncommunicable disease (NCDs), but there is limited information concerning Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) countries. The study aim was to synthesize academic staff's, alumni's, and alumni supervisors' perspectives on preparation for students to provide pharmaceutical care in NCDs.

METHODS

A qualitative research design was used. In-depth interviews with structured questions following the Context, Input, Process, and Product/Outcomes model framework were conducted with four academic staff, three alumni, and three alumni supervisors from six study sites in six countries. Interview questions were constructed in Thai and translated to English by using forward and backward translation. Verbatim transcriptions were used to perform thematic analysis with investigator triangulation.

RESULTS

Sixty participants were included. The context showed three main themes related to Burden of NCDs, Pharmacist Roles in NCDs, and Goals. The input showed three main themes of Teaching Methods, Development Plans for Academic Staff, and Budgets and Infrastructure. The process showed one main theme of Struggles in Teaching Methods. The outcomes/outputs showed three main themes of Individual, Organizational, and Professional Levels. Schools need curricula that focus on NCDs, pharmacist competency and skills, and academic preparation of students for practice. Gaps limiting achievement of goals included lack of well-trained academic staff, limited learning facilities, self-learning opportunities, acceptance from other health professionals, and career ladders.

CONCLUSIONS

The preparation of pharmacy students varied in six ASEAN countries. Pharmacy education programs must address existing gaps that limit achievement of goals related to NCDs.

Characteristics of schools of pharmacy associated with a successful PGY1 residency match

INTRODUCTION

The literature is limited related to school of pharmacy (SOP) characteristics that may impact a student's residency match success. Given the paucity of information, the aim of our study was to examine the association between multiple school specific characteristics and Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) residency match rate.

METHODS

PGY1 residency match data and SOP specific characteristics were obtained. The median aggregate match rate was used to categorize programs as high or low match rate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the impact of SOP characteristics on match rate.

RESULTS

Median match rates were 64% (2013), 63.25% (2014), and 64.25% (2015). Schools with >95% North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination^® (NAPLEX^®) pass rate and >15 funded faculty were more likely to have a high match rate. Private schools were less likely to have a high match rate when compared to public programs.

CONCLUSION

SOP characteristics associated with a high likelihood of a successful PGY1 residency match were greater than 95% of NAPLEX^® pass rate, more than 15 funded faculty members, and public school status.