Evaluation of Pharmacy Students’ Attitudes Toward Pharmaceutical Care and Career Choices Following Interdisciplinary Inpatient Clerkships

Purpose: The study objectives were to investigate the attitude of Ajou University pharmacy students toward pharmaceutical care and to identify their perceived barriers to its provision. Secondarily, their career choices and influential factors for career decision were assessed. Method: A cross-sectional survey of Ajou University pharmacy students in all professional years was conducted in May 2014. Results: Over 2 weeks, a total of 123 students participated in the study (100% response rate). All respondents agreed that pharmaceutical care is the right direction for the provision to be headed and that pharmaceutical care will improve patient health. However, professional year was inversely associated with the degree of positive attitude toward pharmaceutical care. Highly perceived barriers to pharmaceutical care included poor image of pharmacist’s role in society (67%) and lack of access to the patient medical record in the pharmacy (65%). Work environment, benefits, and salary were top three influential factors for career plans, and 6 year students considered salary most important. Patient-oriented practices (hospital and community pharmacy) were the most preferred career choices among 6 year students. Conclusion: Pharmacy clerkships appeared to have a positive influence on career choices of those students. Efforts should be exerted to improve pharmacy clerkships and to promote pharmaceutical care.