Perceptions of graduates and preceptors regarding a new pharmacy programme

Abstract

Objective: To explore perceptions of pharmacy graduates and preceptors regarding a new undergraduate pharmacy degree. Method: Data from focus groups and interviews with pharmacy graduates and preceptors were qualitatively analysed by thematic coding.Results: Participants identified strengths such as clinical knowledge and research skills; areas needing improvement were communications and calculations. Other areas identified by both graduates and preceptors included organization and management skills, longer externship experiential learning and extemporaneous compounding. It was suggested that extending the duration of the externship experience would facilitate the shift into the workplace and consolidate undergraduate learning. The internship programme was considered essential for personal development and for putting theory into practice.Conclusion: Both preceptors and graduates were satisfied with the undergraduate program. The knowledge, skills and attitudes displayed by graduates were considered to be adequate, providing a firm foundation for future practice.

Preceptors, Interns, and Newly Registered Pharmacists' Perceptions of New Zealand Pharmacy Graduates' Preparedness to Practice

“…The study also identified areas for improvement in the undergraduate curriculum and in the future, the questionnaire may be used to obtain feedback for ongoing accreditation which occurs every 5 years. 7 Feedback on the performance of graduates is a requirement for accreditation and there appears to be no published data from both graduates as well as preceptors in either New Zealand or Australia. Findings may be useful to pharmacy education in other countries.…”

“…Full accreditation can only be sought once graduates have achieved registration as pharmacists and then worked for at least 12 months in pharmacy practice. 7 The first cohort of BPharm students from the University of Auckland graduated in 2003, and most of them undertook an internship in 2004. This study was undertaken in 2006 when the first cohort of graduates had entered their second year of practice as registered pharmacists.…”

Qualitative interviews of pharmacy interns: determining curricular preparedness for work life

“…The comments made by some respondents regarding the benefits of having worked previously and around the clinical placement period are similar to those from New Zealand graduates7 who suggested that those who had worked part-time as students in community pharmacy were better prepared to undertake their internships and felt that that the placements arranged by the school were too brief.…”

“…Reports from a New Zealand study, focussing on students' satisfaction regarding a new degree program also gathered data from intern preceptors. Preceptors commented that factors such as individual graduate’s life skills and personalities would influence their adaptability to the workplace 7. In Australia little work has been reported from the students' or graduates' perspective regarding professional or workplace preparedness.…”

Preceptors' Need For Support In Tutoring Pharmacy Students in Finnish Community Pharmacies

“…[6][7] Some studies have explored pharmacists' attitudes towards being a preceptor, [8][9] and the preceptors' perceptions regarding a new undergraduate pharmacy degree. 10 Tools that support preceptors' work, such as experiential guidelines, 11 the use of the social media by the pharmacy preceptors 12 and the optimal frequency of quality assurance visits in teaching pharmacies 13 have also been studied previously. A study from Australia evaluated a preceptors' online education program showing its strengths.…”