A Taiwanese pharmacy graduate-oriented questionnaire reveals higher confidence and self-evaluation in Pharm.D. graduates

Authors

  • Wei-Hung Hung Department of Pharmacy, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center & Taiwan Young Pharmacist Group, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Hao-Chien Chen Taiwan Young Pharmacist Group, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Tzu-Chun Chou Taiwan Young Pharmacist Group, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Chieh-Ju Sung Taiwan Young Pharmacist Group, Taipei, Taiwan
  • Kuan-Lin Chen Taiwan Young Pharmacist Group, Taipei, Taiwan & Graduate Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan & Department of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2023.231.769779

Keywords:

Doctor of pharmacy, Pharmacy education, Pharmacy education reformation, Six-year pharmacy programme, Taiwan pharmacy education

Abstract

Background: Pharmacy education reform in Taiwan began with the publication of a White Paper on Pharmacy Education in Taiwan (WPPET), leading to the introduction of six-year Pharm.D. programme in local schools. However, there's still diversity in educational goals among domestic pharmacy schools, and education recipients' perspectives are unreported.    

Methods: An education receivers-oriented, web-based questionnaire was employed to assess self-evaluated confidence and competency in pharmacy practice, adherence to WPPET, and opinions on pharmacy education reform, as well as the ideal pharmacy education.    

Results: A total of 458 responses were valid and included in the final analysis. Pharm.D. graduates showcased higher levels of confidence, self-evaluated competency, and overall satisfaction with their education compared to B. Pharm graduates. The direction for pharmacy education reform centred on course integration and advanced competency accreditation. Most respondents favoured retaining the national license test and introducing a new B. Pharm-based programme with choices for advanced capstone courses.    

Conclusion: This study implies the successful Pharm.D. programmes implementation aligned with WPPET. Future research should focus on course integration and advanced competency accreditation. A flexible, localised system providing diverse education options for recipients appears to be the most favourable.

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Published

23-12-2023

How to Cite

Hung, W.-H., Chen, H.-C., Chou, T.-C., Sung, C.-J., & Chen, K.-L. (2023). A Taiwanese pharmacy graduate-oriented questionnaire reveals higher confidence and self-evaluation in Pharm.D. graduates. Pharmacy Education, 23(1), p. 769–779. https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2023.231.769779

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Section

Research Article