Evaluation of Pharmacy Students' Understanding of Clinical Trials and Research through Questionnaires Before and After the Hospital Practical Training

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate practical training and improve education on clinical trial and research. This survey was based on the results of questionnaire before and after the practical training undertaken by 240 pharmaceutical students (Kanto region; 1 university, Tokai region; 2 university, Kinki region; 9 university) at Mie University Hospital between 2011 and 2022. In the questionnaire before practical training, lectures in university (n=219, 91%) were the main source of information on clinical trials and research. Fifty-two students (22%) correctly answered the contents of phase 1-4 trials. As an occupation that can perform clinical research coordinator (CRC)'s work, only 7 students (3%) answered that "all medical and non-medical professionals" can perform the CRC's duties. Regarding the understanding of terms related to clinical trials and research, more than 90% of the students understood the meaning of "subjects," "informed consent," and "placebo" even before practical training. Otherwise, even after practical training, students' understanding of "reimbursement," "follow-up period," "audit," or "direct access" was less than 80%. Practical training improved the understanding of terms such as clinical trial (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.001), clinical research phase 1-4 trials (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, p<0.001), interest in clinical trials and research (McNemar-Bowker test, p<0.001), and understanding of CRC's work (McNemar-Bowker test, p<0.001). We will improve the content of practical training and bequeath the knowledge and importance of drug discovery and development to the next generation.