TY - JOUR T1 - A Progressive Assessment of Pharmacy Undergraduates’ Motivation and Satisfaction towards Pharmacy as a Professional Choice JF - Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine Y1 - 2021 A1 - Bisma Sajjad A1 - Rabia Ishaq A1 - Qaiser Iqbal A1 - Fahad Saleem KW - Motivation KW - Pharmacy KW - Pharmacy undergraduates KW - Progressive assessment KW - Satisfaction AB -

Objectives: The study is aimed to access the motivation, satisfaction and expectations of Pharm.D undergraduate towards pharmacy as a profession while attending a public university of Quetta city, Pakistan. Methods: This was a questionnaire based, cross-sectional analysis. The research was carried out at Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Balochistan Quetta, Pakistan. All students registered in Pharm.D program (other than first professional year) were approached for data collection. Based on the objectives of the study, descriptive analysis was performed to present the frequency and percentage demographic characteristics and other study variables. Results: Out of 620 enrolled students, 475 respondents were involved in the survey with a response rate of 76.6%. Nearly 43% selected pharmacy as their first choice career whereas 60% of the students selected pharmacy based on the recommendations of their parents, friends and family. Working with patients and in the medical field was the biggest influencers for the pharmacy undergraduates as ≤ 90% of the students agreed to this statement. Additionally, job with a good career opportunity was also ranked as a influencer by the respondents (85%). Majority of the students (≤ 80%) were committed to the profession’ ideology and were content studying pharmacy. Sixty percent disagreed that they will change their profession if a chance is provided and 81% stated to continue their career as a pharmacist. Conclusion: Impact of family and friends, looking for an in-demand job with good career opportunities, and the desire to work in a health-related field were the main influencing factors in pharmacy students’ decision to study pharmacy. It is obvious from the findings that there is a need to guide high school students regarding their choice of undergraduate programs, and for these students to be made aware of the challenges and opportunities of studying pharmacy.

VL - 7 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Why some Pharmacists Make the Leap and Others do not “From Good to Great Pharmacists” JF - Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine Y1 - 2021 A1 - Rasha Abdelsalam Elshenawy A1 - Fatma-elzahraa Ahmed Mahmoud KW - Continuous Education KW - Effectiveness KW - Leadership KW - Management Skills KW - Pharmacy AB -

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define the requirements needed to be an Ideal pharmacist, in addition to determining the best traits that characterize the ideal pharmacist, which can help in explaining the quality indicators for leadership practicing. Methods: This is a descriptive study that was carried out through an online Google Drive survey, in the form of a questionnaire, to assess the skills needed by pharmacists. The data collection tool website was available mid- December 2019 through first February 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to report results. Results: Survey respondents were 905 pharmacists from different countries such as Egypt (384), UAE (75), KSA (326), etc. from different specialties. The most important traits of the great pharmacist as reported by the respondents was the ability of an ideal pharmacist to manage and discuss mistakes and to solve any medical problems. The most important reported skills included the skills of analytical, computer, communication, leadership, management, mentorship, medical research, and clinical practice. Another finding from the survey is related to the preferred expertise to be specialized. Moreover, continuing medical education (CME) programs can play an essential role in enhancing therapeutic and leadership skills. Conclusion: The terms and definitions for great leader may change with the times; however, it is important to understand the skills and abilities needed to lead. The ability to lead effectively is based on several skills, including communication, managing, and solving mistakes, clinical practicing, and integrity.

VL - 7 IS - 2 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Frequency of Anxiety, Depression and Stress among Pharmacy Undergraduates of Annual and Semester System: A Cohort-Based Comparison JF - Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine Y1 - 2020 A1 - Mehmood Azam A1 - Rabia Ishaq A1 - Qaiser Iqbal A1 - Syed Umer Jan A1 - Mohammad Alam Mengal A1 - Fahad Saleem KW - Anxiety KW - Depression KW - Pharmacy KW - Stress KW - Undergraduates AB -

Objectives: The current study was aimed to evaluate the anxiety, depression and stress (AD&S) among two different academic performance systems (i.e. semester and annual system). Methods: A questionnaire— based, cross-sectional survey technique was adopted. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) was used to assess the AD&S among pharmacy undergraduates enrolled at Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Balochistan Quetta. SPSS v 20.0 was used for data coding and analysis whereas both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data elaboration. Results: Two hundred and eighty-nine pharmacy undergraduates participated in the study with a distribution of 43.3% belonging to the annual academic system and 56.7% from the semester system. Students Majority were of 20 years old (59, 20.4%), including both male (194, 67.1%) and female (95, 32.9%). The mean AD&S scores of the entire cohort were 14.15±9.3, 13.61±7.9 and 18.18±8.2 respectively representing moderate AD&S among pharmacy undergraduates. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was reported among students of annual and semester system for all three variables of study whereby the students of semester system were more in AD&S as compared to the annual system. Conclusion: Based on the findings of current study it is suggested that measure should be taken to reduce the AD&S among students for better academic performance. This is achievable by engaging students by inquiring their queries and problems faced during the semester-related activities. By doing so, a stress-free environment is predicted hence bringing academic prosperity among students leading to the development of a more qualified and satisfied future pharmacist.

VL - 6 IS - 3 ER -