Service learning in pharmacy: Opportunities for student learning and service delivery
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Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academic Journals
Abstract
High patient load and understaffing in public health care facilities preclude the provision of optimal
pharmaceutical services in South Africa. A Service Learning in Pharmacy (SLIP) programme for the
University of the Western Cape's final year pharmacy students was implemented in health care facilities
to assist in service provision. Students rotated between a pharmacotherapy (patient-oriented) and
pharmaceutical formulation (product-oriented) activities to develop skills in prescription analysis,
manufacturing and packaging of hospital pharmaceuticals. Structured focus group sessions were held
with students and pharmacists to assess the integrated service learning experiences. Student feedback
was positive, as the 'real world' experiences enabled them to adapt to intense work pressures,
developed a sense of 'personal responsibility' towards patient health and they were sensitized to issues
of social injustice. Students became competent in prescription analyses, counseling on medication use,
manufacturing and pre-packing procedures. Pharmacists fully supported increased student
involvement in the health services. Service learning in pharmacy schools is needed to contextualize
learning and to address health care needs in South Africa.
Description
Keywords
Pharmacotherapy, Pharmaceutical formulation, Undergraduate, Pharmacy training, Public sector, Healthcare services, Service-learning
Citation
Bheekie, A. et al. (2011). Service learning in pharmacy: Opportunities for student
learning and service delivery. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 5(23): 2546-2557