Conclusions and proposals for improving the education and training of future pharmacists
A round-table workshop on The opinions of pharmacies regarding the education and training of graduates. Challenges for the future was held at the University of Barcelona/UB's Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences on 21 November.
AQU Catalunya has published the document titled Conclusions Conclusions and proposals for improving the education and training of future pharmacists [ca] which, based on the 2017 graduate employment outcomes survey, analyses the areas and skills that need to be improved and enhanced in the education and training of graduates in Pharmacy. The two main areas identified for improvement are:
- The capacity to provide therapeutic advice on pharmacotherapy and dietotherapy (there were shortcomings in this skill in 76% of all pharmacies surveyed).
- The capacity to play an integral role in health promotion and disease prevention (there were shortcomings in this skill in 64% of all pharmacies surveyed).
As a result of the valuable contributions made by the participants during the workshop, the following enhancement proposals were shortlisted:
- a review of curricular development and teaching methodologies;
- modification of the way in which supervised placements are assessed;
- improvements to the ways in which supervised placements are managed and monitored;
- work on personal skills;
- closer relationships between professional organisations and higher education institutions;
- interaction with other healthcare providers.