Challenges in Pharmacy Education With Limited Resources During COVID-19

Abstract

The rapidly emerging COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the need for rapid and extensive changes in the education programs of universities. This chapter reviews the changes in teaching and learning made by pharmaceutical faculties in six universities located in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Mahasarakham University (Thailand), Taylor's University (Malaysia), University of the Philippines-Manilla (Philippines), Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Vietnam), University of Health Sciences (Lao PDR), and Sanata Dharma University (Indonesia). The authors discuss adjustments that were made based on educational contexts, planning and infrastructure, educational processes, and products and outcomes. Each university provides a specific story concerning lessons learned in responding to the pandemic. The chapter concludes with changes that will be employed in future emergency situations, as well as those that will continue to be incorporated with the resumption of normal operations.

Development of a patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ) for diabetes management in Thailand and Lao PDR

“…There is also a 4-year residency program for specialty pharmacists. Lao PDR has only one university that provides a 5-year curriculum with 7 months of practice experience [ 37 ]. At the present, Lao graduates are not accepted by the physicians in Lao PDR in terms of patient care collaboration and pharmacists have more limited relationships with patients than do physicians and nurses [ 38 ].…”

Confidence Level in Pharmaceutical Care Skills and Experiences Using MyDispense Virtual Simulation Among Pharmacy Students in The Philippines

“…In a previous study, most students agreed or strongly agreed that MyDispense was accessible to learn [20] because the users claimed that MyDispense is very accessible and easy to use [21]. The virtual simulation enables students to practice the dispensing skills of a pharmacist in a web-based, readily accessible environment [9]. Internet-based e-learning or simulation like the MyDispense has been reputed to have increased educational accessibility, improved self-efficacy, and knowledge development, cost efficiency, learner flexibility, and class engagement [22].…”

“…Fortunately, traditional and face-to-face assessment of skills endeavored through MyDispense, a software program that virtually stimulates the dispensing process, created by Monash University in Australia and adopted by numerous institutions worldwide (8). The virtual simulation enables students to practice the dispensing skills of a pharmacist in a web-based and readily accessible environment (9). The 2016 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education update reaffirms medication use system management as a vital part of pharmacy practice; specifically, pharmacy graduates should be "able to manage healthcare needs by using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to optimize the safety and efficacy of medication use systems" (10).…”

“…There is a need to address this situation by expanding and strengthening software that will facilitate effective instruction and reverse the backward technology of the country (13). Therefore, it is essential to determine the level of confidence in their pharmaceutical care skills of students in dispensing and understand their experiences with using MyDispense (9,14). As mentioned in the Philippine Pharmacists Association, the skills in community and hospital practice include providing quality medicines and other health products appropriate to the patient's needs and counseling clients or patients on the safe and judicious use of drugs and other health products (15).…”

What is needed to reform pharmacy education in Jordan: An exploratory study based on a multi-stakeholder perspective

“…While curriculum design and teaching approaches are the two main pillars of the educational process, the infrastructure of pharmacy faculties significantly impacts students' overall experiences (Anderson et al, 2009). Sufficiently equipped laboratory facilities are necessary for pharmacy students to develop their skills and allow them to practice and strengthen their skills (Olson et al, 2022). Similar to other universities and faculties in middle-income countries, Jordanian universities and faculties are challenged by limited financial resources, a lack of funds for research projects, and the absence of research leadership (Anderson et al, 2009;Gebremariam & Gadisa, 2021).…”