How Two Small Pharmacy Schools' Competency Standards Compare with an International Competency Framework and How Well These Schools Prepare Students for International Placements.

John Hawboldt,Beverly Fitzpatrick,Rose Nash

doi:10.3390/pharmacy5010014

John Hawboldt, Beverly Fitzpatrick + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy5010014

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Abstract

International standards of pharmacy curricula are necessary to ensure student readiness for international placements. This paper explores whether curricula from two pharmacy programs, in Australia and Canada, are congruent with international standards and if students feel prepared for international placements. Nationally prescribed educational standards for the two schools were compared to each other and then against the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Global Competency Framework. Written student reflections complemented this analysis. Mapping results suggested substantial agreement between the FIP framework and Australia and Canada, with two gaps being identified. Moreover, the students felt their programs prepared them for their international placements. Despite differences in countries, pharmacy programs, and health-systems all students acclimatized to their new practice sites. Implications are that if pharmacy programs align well with FIP, pharmacists should be able to integrate and practise in other jurisdictions that also align with the FIP. This has implications for the mobility of pharmacy practitioners to countries not of their origin of training.

Highlights

Pharmacy education, in the era of globalization, should consider international practice experience placements (PEP) for pharmacy students
Through PEP, Owen argued that students are provided with situations that enhance the knowledge and teaching gained through classic university education as they are immersed in real patient-care settings under the supervision of professional practitioners [3]
International placements should be useful as they can assist in the preparation of future pharmacists for the challenges of a multicultural and increasingly globalized world

Summary

Introduction

In the era of globalization, should consider international practice experience placements (PEP) for pharmacy students. International PEP can increase students’ cultural competence, enhance awareness of other health-systems, and provide exposure to diseases/medicines that may be uncommon in their respective countries. Alsharif indicated that international experiences can increase students’ respect for local, national, international, and ethnic identities [1]. Cisneros et al, suggested that these placements can increase students’ contributions to global healthcare [2]. Through PEP, Owen argued that students are provided with situations that enhance the knowledge and teaching gained through classic university education as they are immersed in real patient-care settings under the supervision of professional practitioners [3]. International placements should be useful as they can assist in the preparation of future pharmacists for the challenges of a multicultural and increasingly globalized world

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