Pharmacy student expectations for professional practice.
The professional employment market for pharmacists has changed radically in recent years. Additionally, data regarding perception of future practice among pharmacy students are limited. The purpose of this study was to characterize expectations for professional practice among pharmacy students and to identify curriculum support at a college of pharmacy. A survey examining student educational experiences, career preferences, and demographic variables was distributed to 1,297 students enrolled in the first to sixth year. Six hundred thirty responses were evaluated. Doctor of Pharmacy students indicated that their education better prepared them for their expected career than did Bachelor of Science students (P < .03). The former also had a more positive outlook regarding future career opportunities than the latter (P < .01) and indicated to a greater extent that HMOs and pharmacy benefit management companies are growing sources of employment for pharmacists (P < .001).
Baran
R W
RW
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, PA, USA.
Shaw
J
J
Crumlish
K
K
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015143:Philadelphia; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce