Augustine Campus Research Articles

Healthcare Resilience in Trinidad and Tobago: A short report on the Healthy Hospital Initiative at the Sangre Grande Hospital

Objective: To describe the establishment of the Healthy Hospital Initiative (HHI), its activities and accomplishments, challenges and future steps. Methods: The initiative was implemented at the Sangre Grande Hospital in the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA), one of five Regional Health Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago. A review of personal records maintained by members of the Healthy Hospital Initiative was undertaken. These records included descriptions of the activities, accomplishments and obstacles that the team experienced. Results: The Healthy Hospital Initiative was launched in November 2019 with the aim of creating an environmentally sustainable health system and improving the physical and mental health of staff and patients. A senior doctor led the initiative and team members included a range of staff, including both clinical and non-clinical professionals who were all volunteers. This allowed for a multi-directional, inclusive approach and created a sense of ownership amongst the staff. In 2022, several activities were implemented: green spaces, recycling bins, a kitchen garden and staff exercise sessions. In addition, team members participated in training on Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) Smart hospitals and collaborated with a local non-governmental organisation as well as the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus engineering department to develop further projects. Conclusion: Next steps include promoting similar projects in community health facilities, developing a hydroponics system and, assessing the disaster resilience and carbon footprint of the hospital.

Excerpted Abstracts of the 7th Water Efficiency Conference 2022

In an increasingly uncertain world, water is constant and central to most things: the economy, energy, transport, agriculture, health, leisure, wellbeing, social and cultural life. The 7th Water Efficiency (WATEF) Conference 2022 was, for the first time, held outside Europe in the Caribbean, at the Faculty of Engineering, The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago on 14th-16th December, 2022. Many challenges reflect the changing climate, increasingly unpredictable weather, and the efforts towards sustainable development necessary for social equity and economic growth. Proactive partnerships and collaborations across civil society is necessary to succeed in this effort. A conference on water efficiency and resilience is justified in the face of these challenges and during an energy, cost-of-living, food, and other crises. The WATEF-2022 Conference’s theme was “Water Resources Resilience for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)”. Trinidad and Tobago has a relatively high reliable water infrastructure (including desalination plants) for its population but in recent times water resources have been impacted by unforeseen climate change events. This twin-island republic was best suited for this conference, geographically and technically. Parallel with invited keynotes and feature speeches, technical presentations and panel discussions were made addressing various topics and areas associated with the conference’s theme. This paper contains a total of 28 abstracts excerpted from the Conference proceedings that address towards collaborative solutions to the water and resilience challenges faced globally and experienced more intensely by SIDS.

A cross-sectional survey of prospective healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of medical Cannabis

BackgroundCompounds isolated from Cannabis possess many beneficial effects creating a renewed worldwide interest in its therapeutic potential. With increased legalization for medicinal use globally, healthcare professionals must be familiar with the drug's uses and potential adverse effects. ObjectiveTo determine prospective healthcare providers' knowledge, attitude and perception to medical Cannabis. MethodA self-administered online questionnaire comprising 21 questions to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of medical Cannabis was distributed via google forms among students at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus. Chi-square analysis was used to detect significant associations between demographics and measured variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. ResultsPopular perceived therapeutic benefits of Cannabis were chronic pain (91.2%), anxiety (84.2%) and seizures (71.1%), and identification of the risks associated with the use of Cannabis was low. Users of Cannabis were able to identify indications and symptoms that can be treated with Cannabis but were less aware of the adverse effects of the drug than non-users (p < 0.001). More than three-quarters (87.3%) believed they could identify therapeutic uses and adverse effects but only 14.2% were ready to answer queries from patients. The main source of Cannabis information was the internet and information was lacking in the medical school curriculum. ConclusionThe majority of students could not identify the drug's indications and adverse effects. There is a need to improve training for all prospective medical personnel to cater for the change in legislation status.

High Prevalence of Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in University of West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.

The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown obligated higher education students to attend online courses, leading to prolonged exposure to digital displays. Excessive time on digital devices could be a risk factor for ocular problems, including symptomatic dry eye. There are limited evidences to show the magnitude of symptomatic dry eye disease and its associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to fill this gap, among university students in Trinidad and Tobago. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students attending the University of West Indies, Saint Augustine Campus from October 2020 to April 2021. The standardized ocular surface disease index questionnaire, descriptive statics and binary logistic regression were used to assess the prevalence and associated factors of dry eye diseases. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Four hundred (96.3%) participants completed the questionnaire. Among all, 64.8% were female and 50.5% were east Indians. About 48% were using visual display units for average of 10-15 hours/day. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye disease was 84.3% (95% CI = 80.8-87.5%) with OSDI score ≥13. Lack of education about dry eye 2.69 (95% CI: 1.41-5.13), use of the reading mode of computer 3.92 (95% CI: 1.57-9.80), refractive error 3.20 (95% CI: 1.66-6.20), previous systemic medications 2.80 (95% CI: 1.15-6.81), and average hours of visual display unit use/day (p<0.001) were significantly associated with symptomatic dry eye disease. Symptomatic dry eye disease was a prominent problem among students at the University of West Indies. Average of >4 hours of visual display unit use/day, refractive error, positive history of systemic medication, lack of education about dry eye, and using computers in reading mode were associated factors.

Choice of medical speciality: a cross-sectional study of medical students and comparison with existing practice

Abstract Objective The objectives of this study were to determine specialty choices, influencing factors, and migration intent among medical students, and to compare this with current specialist practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). Methods A Cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted at the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, TT. Descriptive statistics were presented for choice of specialty, its predictors, and comparisons with specialists in practice were done. Results Overall, 273 (response rate 21.36%) students responded with 73.6% females and an average age of 22.5(SD3.3) The ten most popular responses for specialty of first choice were unsure (9.5%), cardiothoracic surgery (8.7%), general paediatrics (8.7%), general surgery (7.5%), neurosurgery (7.5%), obstetrics and gynaecology (6.7%), cardiology (4.8%), emergency medicine (4.4%), family medicine (4.4%) and orthopaedics (4.4%). The top three factors influencing their choices were, general interest in the field (95.9%), job security (81.3%) and job availability (70.3%), Most respondents (72%) expressed intent to migrate to specialize. Compared to specialist practitioners, significantly more students aspired to do cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, and cardiology, while significantly less students chose internal medicine, anaesthesia and critical care, and ophthalmology. (P&lt; 0.05 for all) Conclusion A minority of students was uncertain about speciality choice, however most intended to migrate to specialize. A mismatch between student aspirations and current practice was also found. These findings warrant student sensitization to specialties for which there is a need and workplace planning, if we are to retain locally trained doctors. Keywords: Medical student, specialization, cross-sectional study, postgraduate, Trinidad and Tobago.

Effective methodology for teaching and assessment of laboratory-intensive courses during covid-19 school restrictions

All in-class teaching in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies was suspended on Friday, 13th March 2020, because of the COVID-19 global health crisis. These restrictions remained for the commencement of the new academic year 2020-2021, which began in September 2020, thus jeopardizing the delivery of course content at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus using the traditional in-class methodology. This paper presents an effective methodology for teaching and assessing laboratory-intensive courses during COVID-19 school restrictions. A mandatory level-two laboratory course of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the UWI was utilized as the basis of this study, which aimed at demonstrating that the methodology prevented student performance from degrading below what was experienced in the past five academic years. Feedback questionnaires were also administered to students, highlighting the key benefits they gained.

COVID-19 Awareness among Undergraduate Medical Students in Trinidad: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The urgency for heightened levels of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) awareness is due to their estimated face-to-face participation in the COVID-19 pandemic and similar pandemics. The unavailability of updated pandemic information is a significant challenge. There is no available data or previous studies undertaken to investigate the level of pandemic awareness of medical students in Trinidad, Tobago, or the wider Caribbean. Methods: A cross-sectional study of medical students, years one to five, at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine campus, Faculty of Medical Sciences, was conducted using random sampling. Data was collected using a 20-item questionnaire structured to test awareness. Chi-square analysis was done using SPSS version 28.0.1.0 (142). Results: Of the 137 participants, 100% claimed to be aware of the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly via social media and the Ministry of Health press conferences. Though all claimed to be aware, 98.5% were aware of COVID-19 being a viral infection, whilst 87.6% were aware of the modes of transmission. Less than half of the population (45.3%) stated they were prepared to be a frontline worker exposed to and treating COVID-19 patients, while the majority (76.6%) were worried about exposure to the virus. Conclusions: The data collected in this research indicated that the level of awareness increases with higher levels of education, whereas age has no effect. Additionally, it was determined that undergraduate medical students had an average knowledge base of COVID-19 but would need training programs to increase their preparedness as future healthcare professionals. Lastly, it was discovered that the two top sources of information were social media and press conferences held by the government.

An investigation into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and the study habits of medical students of the University of the West Indies

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has caused increased anxiety among medical students due to the uncertainty of the long-term effects on the future of medical education. There are currently insufficient studies aimed at investigating the changes in the mental health and studying habits of medical students during public health emergencies such as this pandemic, as well as methods that can be incorporated to appropriately manage anxiety effectively. To investigate the psychological impact and associated factors on medical students during the pandemic. This retrospective, cross-sectional study consisted of 291 medical students of the faculty of medical sciences at the university of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, Trinidad and Tobago. The mental health and study habits of said students were assessed with the use of questionnaires via an online survey platform. Data of our study showed that 56% of the students were experiencing increased stress and anxiety. Students of 82.8% experienced irregular sleeping habits and 76.3% of participants experienced a change in eating habits brought on by the pandemic. Participants of 67.4% studied less than 4 hrs. a day, 61.5% were less productive, 62.2% showed an inability to focus and avoid distractions in their study environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for proper supportive strategies to assist students in effectively managing anxiety and depression during public health emergencies such as COVID-19. It is suggested that all universities, colleges and education bodies alike implement a pandemic preparedness course as well as an accessible online support forum.

Wind Energy Production from Vertical Axis Wind Turbine on Offshore Production Platforms in Trinidad

Aims: To estimate the available power that can be generated from wind on Oil and Gas production Platforms offshore Trinidad.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus. Data collected at a bpTT production platform offshore east coast Trinidad between January 2019 to November 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: The East coast of Trinidad was chosen due to the presence of high yearly wind speeds. The wind data was collected 80 kilometers off Trinidad Southeast coast, east of the bpTT Cashima production platform for the year 2019. Wind speeds varied from 5.3 meters per second in October to 8.8 meters per second in June. The overall wind speed average for the year 2019 was 7.4 meters per second. The vertical axis wind turbine considered here was modeled using Parashivoiu's double multiple streamtube model concept. The VAWT modelled had 3 NACA0018 blade profile, a blade length of 2.5 meters and a diameter of 2 meters.&#x0D; Results: The modeled vertical axis wind turbine monthly total power output varied from 5.43 KW to 20.34 KW. The daily average expected power output from the VAWT ranged from 175 Watts to 678 Watts. It can be observed that the months January to July gave higher daily and monthly average power generation due to these months having the highest wind speeds due to local weather conditions.&#x0D; Conclusion: The VAWT modelled in this study can generate on average, 463 Watts of power per day with a peak average of 678 Watts of power per day in June from a single turbine. The total average power produced for the year 2019 was 151.11 KW. The turbine was sized as not to have a large footprint on the offshore platform. It is demonstrated here that substantial support and rationale is needed for the potential advancement of VAWT’s for conditions that prevail offshore Trinidad, owing to their lower extraction costs and more robust geometry due to the use of existing offshore platforms.

What Role, if any, Should Economic Evaluation Play in Market Access Decisions of Pharmaceutical Treatments for Cancer Patients with Short Life Expectancy?

Short Commentary By Angel Justiz-Vaillant, Department of Para-Clinical Sciences. University of the West Indies. St. Augustine Campus. Trinidad and Tobago

A case for purposeful mentorship in research and publishing at a Caribbean academic library

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine if academic librarians at The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine (STA) Campus, Trinidad and Tobago were receiving mentorship support in academic research and publishing and to ascertain their perceptions of such support. Notable findings from the study offered insights into how academic librarians perceived their research and publishing output as well as the mentorship support received. Most librarians, while confident in their research abilities, felt that their publications' output needed improvement. The inadequate allotment of time throughout the workweek and absence of a structured mentorship style were identified as obstacles. Academic librarians at The UWI STA Campus did receive mentorship support in research and publishing, but a significant number doubted its effectiveness. The authors recognize this as an opportunity to propose a purposeful approach to mentorship in research and publishing to address these shortcomings. Studies from North America, Europe and other regions which explored mentorship and research productivity found evidence of the positive impact of mentorship in these areas. This study, which is the first for the English-speaking Caribbean, examines mentorship support in research and publishing at The UWI STA Campus and recommends a way forward.

Taking research from periphery to core in a Caribbean Language Centre

Abstract This paper draws on two research activities to discuss the role of research at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. Established in 1997, the CLL introduced languages for all into this Caribbean higher education (HE) context. The CLL also introduced an expanded language curriculum beyond the historical focus on Romance languages and literatures. As the language centre evolved with more languages being taught and more language services offered, research, nonetheless, remained a marginal activity. Yet without a research agenda, the CLL risked being seen as a “service unit” - an outlier in a university seeking to confirm its place in the highly competitive global HE landscape. As the CLL sought to embrace more fully the research mandate of The UWI and of language centres internationally, CercleS publications and documents, for example, “Quality Assessment Criteria for Language Centres” were of great utility. The latter document’s focus on research as a quality indicator was consistent with The UWI’s focus on quality assurance and research. Taking research from periphery to core is thus intrinsic to moving the CLL into closer alignment with both institutional and international norms.

A retrospective study of causes of visual impairment and use of low vision devices in the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago

PurposeTo determine the causes of visual impairment and the use of low vision devices in patients attending the low vision clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. MethodsA retrospective study of the 222 patients attending the low vision clinic at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus was conducted. The presenting visual acuity, causes of low vision and blindness, and prescribed low vision devices were recorded and analysed to determine the major causes of visual impairment and improvement in visual acuity with low vision aids. ResultsOut of the total 222 participants, 66.66% (n = 148) had low vision while the rest (33.33%, n = 74) were legally blind. Glaucoma was the major cause of low vision (31.08%) and blindness (28.38%) followed by diabetic retinopathy (20.94%, low vision and 20.27%, blindness). A total of 193 low vision devices were prescribed, 79.79% (n = 154) near devices and 20.20% (n = 39) distance devices. The low vision devices were effective in improving both near visual acuity (120 participants reading 1M or 2M) and distance visual acuity (VA better than 3/60). ConclusionThe major causes of vision impairment in Trinidad and Tobago were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and low vision devices are effective in improving visual acuity. A comprehensive approach to dealing with the causes of low vision and low vision services are required to mitigate the burden of visual impairment in the country.

Examining Solid Waste Practices and Littering at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus

Littering is a rampant problem and rooted in human behaviour. This study aims to record, categorise, and examine spatial patterns between pieces of litter and trash and recycling bins across the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. The geographic location of pieces of litter and bins (trash and recycling) were recorded and georeferenced to a campus base-map. A total of 10, 889 pieces of litter were recorded over the 7-day survey. The majority of litter was plastic (47.6%) and cigarettes (24.1%). The litter on campus was not evenly distributed. The kernel density estimation demonstrated that there was an obvious hotspot in the south-east of campus at the student activity centre (SAC), where there were more than 5 pieces of litter per sq. meter. The total of 182 bins was recorded and the mean distance between bins was 13.0 meters. Most of the bins were clustered in the southwest end of the hotspot, near the SAC. In addition, there were no recycling bins placed in this location. A recycling bin should be located in the SAC, as there are the most littering offenses, and recycling success with plastic items can be improved. Using a uniform colour for trash bins may increase proper solid waste disposal and reduce littering.

Effective Teaching and Examination Strategies for Undergraduate Learning During COVID-19 School Restrictions

On Friday, March 13, 2020, all school teaching in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies was suspended until further notice because of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. This immediately jeopardized the completion of course content at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus. This article presents effective teaching and examination strategies that can be utilized in teaching undergraduates during COVID-19 school restrictions. The introductory digital electronics course of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of the West Indies will be utilized to demonstrate the merits of these strategies. The research will focus on demonstrating that the teaching methodologies utilized avoided the student performance from degrading below what has been experienced in the past 5 academic years. Student feedback on the methodology utilized is also incorporated in this article to highlight key benefits gained by students.

Study Preferences of Generation Z Students Admitted to Medical School

Persons born between 1995 and 2012 have been described as belonging to Generation Z (iGen), a group that follows on Generation Y, the millennials. Generation Z individuals have been described as being technologically sophisticated, dependent on mobile devices, love the internet, have short attention span, dislike reading printed material, prefer collaborative activities and learning in teams. In an effort to understand how students will adjust to a medical school’s curriculum, we asked the question: To what extent did students exhibit the characteristics of Generation Z just before they started a medical programme?We examined the study habits of students at the School of Medicine at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad &amp; Tobago. We administered a paper questionnaire during the orientation week to students admitted in August, 2019. The total number of students admitted was 236 of which 223 students belonged to the category of Generation Z.The mean age of the Generation Z group was 19.5 years (range 17 – 24) with 63% females and 37% males. The average time a student took to study before his/her mind began to wander was 48.7 minutes (CI: 44.0, 53.4). There was no significant correlation between age and attention span with r = .061 (p=.388). The number of students who preferred studying alone was 193 (86.5%); those who preferred group study totally or partially (i.e. both alone and in groups) was 30 (13.5%). Most students, 156 (70.0%), preferred studying from textbooks and other printed materials. In contrast, 67 (30.0%) preferred using online materials only or in combination with printed materials. Overall, chi‐square analysis demonstrated a significant difference between student preferences regarding materials used and studying alone or in groups (χ2 (1) = 8.945, p=0.003). Compared to students who preferred group study, students who preferred studying alone significantly preferred printed materials over online material, odds ratio 3.18 [1.45, 6.98]ConclusionThe majority of students admitted into the medical programme fit in the demographic of Generation Z. This study shows that, on admission, the vast majority of the Generation Z students preferred studying alone using printed material, and not in groups or using online material. Thus, the students’ preferred study habits (regarding studying in groups or using online materials) did not fit the expected characteristics of Generation Z. These results are similar to those of previous studies obtained for Millennials who were admitted to medical schools in Kuwait and Canada, and provide guidance to how we may think of adjusting the curriculum to facilitate learning by Generations Z &amp; Y students.

Perceptions, Practices and Prevalence Of Psychoactive Substances Among Students In The Faculty Of Medical Sciences, University Of The West Indies St Augustine Campus, Trinidad And Tobago

This paper highlights the attitudes and practices of university students enrolled in the faculty of medical sciences regarding substance abuse. The cross sectional study was conducted over six months in which 308 students responded to a questionnaire distributed via email and social media. The 1-month prevalence rate for alcohol and cigarette use was found to be 53% and 9.1% respectively. Binge drinking had a prevalence of 29.0%. Marijuana was the second most frequently used drug with a 1-month prevalence of 13.4%. In general, alcohol was the most frequently used substance followed by marijuana. The participants showed a positive attitude towards the use of marijuana. While the use of tranquilizers, stimulants and cocaine was present, it was relatively low compared to the other substances.

Tutor assessment of PBL process: does tutor variability affect objectivity and reliability?

BackgroundEnsuring objectivity and maintaining reliability are necessary in order to consider any form of assessment valid. Evaluation of students in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) tutorials by the tutors has drawn the attention of critiques citing many challenges and limitations. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of tutor variability in assessing the PBL process in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.MethodAll 181 students of year 3 MBBS were assigned randomly to 14 PBL groups. Out of 18 tutors, 12 had an opportunity to assess three groups: one assessed 2 groups and 4 tutors assessed one group each; at the end each group had been assessed three times by different tutors. The tutors used a PBL assessment rating scale of 12 different criteria on a six-point scale to assess each PBL Group. To test the stated hypotheses, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Bonferroni test, Intra Class Correlation, and Pearson product moment correlations were performed.ResultThe analysis revealed significant differences between the highest- and lowest-rated groups (t-ratio = 12.64; p < 0.05) and between the most lenient and most stringent raters (t-ratio = 27.96; p < 0.05). ANOVA and post-hoc analysis for highest and lowest rated groups revealed that lenient- and stringent-raters significantly contribute (p < 0.01) in diluting the score in their respective category. The intra class correlations (ICC) among rating of different tutors for different groups showed low agreement among various ratings except three groups (Groups 6, 8 and 13) (r = 0.40). The correlation between tutors’ PBL experiences and their mean ratings was found to be moderately significant (r = 0.52; p > 0.05).ConclusionLeniency and stringency factors amongst raters affect objectivity and reliability to a great extent as is evident from the present study. Thus, more rigorous training in the areas of principles of assessment for the tutors are recommended. Moreover, putting that knowledge into practice to overcome the leniency and stringency factors is essential.

Colorectal Cancer Knowledge and Awareness Among University Students in a Caribbean Territory: a Cross-sectional Study.

The burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on the rise globally over the last decade. Several studies point to the fact that there is a lack of knowledge and awareness for CRC which may be attributed to the increase in the burden over time. Therefore, we aimed to assess the level and predictors for knowledge of CRC and its risk factors. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted on the student population of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad. We assessed CRC knowledge using scales examining their level of knowledge for CRC and its risk factors. Lifestyle behaviors (smoking, physical activity, dietary behaviors, and alcohol consumption) and perceived risk for developing CRC were also collected using a standard survey. Predictors for CRC knowledge were assessed using forward stepwise linear and logistic regression models. The overall CRC knowledge was 54.740% ± 19.721%. Poor knowledge levels were seen among 36.23% while satisfactory/good knowledge was seen among 63.77%. Predictors of poor CRC knowledge were males (OR = 1.559; p = 0.003), frequent/excessive alcoholic drinkers (OR = 1.924; p = 0.029), and low physical activity (OR = 1.331; p = 0.042). Predictors of satisfactory/good CRC knowledge were those with higher scores for the prudent dietary pattern (OR = 0.893; p = 0.016), and compared with those who reported no risk, participants reporting low risk had an increased likelihood of obtaining good CRC knowledge scores (OR = 0.526; p = < 0.001) and high risk (0.310; p = < 0.001). The level of awareness/knowledge on CRC and its risk factors is low. Improvement of CRC awareness and healthy lifestyle campaigns among young adults is needed for the Caribbean region.

Students’ perceptions of a blended learning pharmacy seminar course in a Caribbean school of pharmacy

Background and purposeBlended learning (BL) integrates face-to-face and online instructional methods, with applications in pharmacy education. This study aimed to assess pharmacy students’ perceptions of BL in a pharmacy seminar course at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, Trinidad and Tobago. Educational activity and settingTopics based on the use of medicines and public health were presented by student groups during live seminars, supplemented with online activities. An online survey of students’ perceptions was administered at the end of the course. The usefulness of learning resources and course activities were assessed using 5-point Likert-like scales (1 = not helpful to 5 = very helpful). The effectiveness of the instructor, blended delivery, time value, and development of critical-thinking were rated on a 5-point Likert scale for agreement (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Topics that were most instructive and additional topics of interest were also identified. FindingsApproximately 51% of students (37/72) completed the questionnaire; 73% were female and mean age was 24 years. The learning resources and most course activities were generally helpful (median = 4) in facilitating learning. There was strong agreement (median = 5) on the ease of navigating the online platform, and instructor encouraging interest in pharmacy issues. Students agreed (median = 4) that the course facilitated critical thinking, the BL approach was effective, and the time spent was worthwhile. The most instructive topics included medication errors, antibiotic resistance, and medicines in children and the elderly. SummaryBL in pharmacy seminars is a valuable approach to engage students learning about pharmacy and public health.