Factors which influence the choice of pre-registration placement of pharmacy undergraduates in Malaysia

Abstract

Background: The liberalisation of PRP training which began on the 1 October 2012 reduce the saturation of pharmacists in the public hospitals and increase the role of provisionally-registered pharmacists in non-hospital settings. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the choice of pre-registration placement of pharmacy undergraduates in Malaysia. Methods: The data collection of this cross-sectional study was conducted by using a validated survey instrument which was administered online to the final year pharmacy students in six universities in Malaysia. Results: All demographic characteristics such as type of selected university, age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, CGPA and family members or relatives who are working in pharmacy field did not have an association with the first choice of pre-registration placement of pharmacy undergraduates in Malaysia. In addition, previous working experience in pharmacy field, expectation to move up a career ladder in future work life, which have a variety of tasks every day, working hours expectation and salary expectation are the factors that have association with the choice of pre-registration placement. Conclusion: These five factors are good indicators for PRP preceptors particularly in community pharmacy to employ better strategies to curb the problem regarding the lack of PRP applicants.