Enhanced Understanding of the Levels of Palliative Care in Pharmacy Students Through Participating in Clinical Training in Hospitals

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy practice 2017-06, Vol.30 (3), p.313-317
• Main Authors: Myotoku, Michiaki, Omotani, Sachiko, Hatsuda, Yasutoshi, Konishi, Hiroki, Hirotani, Yoshihiko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Competence - standards; Comprehension; Curriculum - standards; Female; Humans; Male; Palliative Care - methods; Palliative Care - standards; Pharmacy Residencies - methods; Pharmacy Residencies - standards; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - methods; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - standards; Students, Pharmacy; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0897-1900; 1531-1937
• DOI: 10.1177/0897190016637528

Objective: A palliative care knowledge survey was conducted involving pharmacy students to examine their perceived usefulness and the educational effect of clinical training in hospitals. Methods: A questionnaire sheet was distributed to fifth-year pharmacy students before and after clinical training. The questionnaire consisted of questions to clarify the details of palliative care-related training in hospitals and students’ knowledge of such care. The respondents were divided into 2 groups: those who participated in palliative care team (PCT) rounds (group A: 57) and those who did not (group B: 57). Results: The mean total correct answer rate markedly increased after training in group A, from 37.9 to 47.1% (P < .01). Such an increase was also observed in the domains of philosophy and pain in this group (P < .01). In contrast, group B did not show differences in the mean correct answer rate between before and after training; there was no significant increase in the rate in any domain. Conclusion: Pharmacy students’ knowledge was enhanced by participating in the PCT, confirming the usefulness of such participation during training as part of palliative care education.