Factors Affecting Prepharmacy Students' Perceptions of the Professional Role of Pharmacists

Abstract

Objective. To assess prepharmacy students' perceptions of the professional role of pharmacists prior to enrollment in pharmacy school, and the association between perceptions and student demographics. Methods. A 58-question survey instrument regarding pharmacists' roles, work experiences, and demographics was developed and administered to students (N 5 127) enrolled in an organic chemistry laboratory experience at Purdue University. Results. Theory of planned behavior subscales (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control) were influenced by students' grade point average, gender, and application to pharmacy school, while unpaid work experience affected professional commitment. Students evaluated work experience related to their pharmacy studies more positively than non-pharmacy-related areas in the theory of planned behavior subscales. Conclusions. Evaluating students' perceptions may be beneficial in helping pharmacy educators design their curricula, as well as allowing admissions committees to select the most qualified students to promote the development of positive perceptions toward the professional role of pharmacists. Grade point average (GPA) and application to pharmacy school were associated with significant differences for the theory of planned behavior and professional commitment subscales.

Intern Pharmacists’ Job Satisfaction, Perception of the Profession and Preparedness to Provide Pharmaceutical Care Services in Southeastern Nigeria

“…Likewise, the interns also poorly considered the role of pharmacists identifying drug problems not detected by the physician or discussing patient problems with the physician as roles pharmacists play in the clinical setting. These similar findings were also reported by students in the United States [7], however not as poorly as these produced among Nigerian interns in our study. A study provided possible reasons pharmacists would continue to shy away from patientcentered care if not addressed.…”

“…This was done because previous survey experience has shown that participants in Nigerian surveys do not clearly understand the difference between "agree" and "somewhat agree". These perception items had been previously employed in earlier studies [7,8].…”

Personalized Learning in an Online Drugs and US Health Care System Controversies Course

“…Due to the complexity of the health care system, students likely have various past experiences involving the system, resulting in different attitudes toward career aspirations in health fields and different perceptions regarding health care sectors. 25,26 For instance, Anderson and colleagues reveal that among most pharmacy students, the decision to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree was influenced by prior work or volunteer experience in a health care setting. 27 Past experiences also determine the expectation for receiving care and the rating of providers.…”

Report of the 2017-2018 Strategic Engagement Standing Committee

“…This motivates students to be engaged in their didactic coursework, get involved in various organizations on campus, and even pursue a pharmacy-related job to make them a wellrounded candidate for their desired PharmD program. 5 In a survey to assess pre-pharmacy student's perceptions of the professional role of pharmacists prior to their enrollment at Purdue University, grade point average (GPA) and application to pharmacy school were associated with significant differences in the theory of planned behavior and professional commitment subscales. In the professional commitment section, the statement "It is important for me to graduate from pharmacy school" received the highest mean score on the seven-point Likert scale among the 37 questions assessed.…”