Reflections of pharmacy students on experiential education in providing health services to people with history of substance use disorders in Malaysia

Nor Hidayah Mohd Taufek; Syafiqah Nadiah  Halimi; Norny Syafinaz  Ab Rahman; Che Suraya Zin; Christopher John  Turner

doi:10.31436/jop.v1i2.31

Authors

Nor Hidayah Mohd Taufek Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Syafiqah Nadiah Halimi Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan Pahang
Norny Syafinaz Ab Rahman Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan Pahang
Che Suraya Zin Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan Pahang
Christopher John Turner Retired but formerly with Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/jop.v1i2.31

Keywords:

Experiential education, pharmacy students, people with a history of substance use disorders, reflections

Abstract

Introduction: Accreditation standards for pharmacy students’ education include the requirement for experiential education (EE) and acknowledge, in building life-long learning skills, the need to develop students’ skills in analysing their practice-based performance. The goal of this qualitative study was to assess students’ ability to reflect on their experience providing face-to-face care to patients with a history of substance use disorders (PHSUDs).

Materials and methods: Interviews were conducted with undergraduate pharmacy students who provided care to PHSUDs in an EE programme. An interview guide was used to explore students’ experiences and their perceptions regarding the challenges they encountered, changes in their attitude towards PHSUDs and ways to improve their ability to care for PHSUDs. Data relevant to the study was extracted from interview transcripts, manually sorted and coded using Microsoft Excel and subjected to thematic analysis.

Results: The themes identified were 1) Increased self-confidence in face-to-face interactions with PHSUDs 2) Increased empathy towards PHSUDS 3) Reduction in stigmatised attitudes towards PHSUDs 4) Positive nature of the interactions with PHSUDs 5) Appreciation for the opportunity to apply knowledge in practice 6) Recognition of the need for improved communication skill training 7) Recognition of the need to improve training for dealing with unexpected questions and situations.

Conclusion: Pharmacy students demonstrated reflective skills in identifying multiple positive learning outcomes stemming from a one-day EE programme involving PHSUDs. In addition, they provided insights useful to faculty in curriculum planning.

Author Biographies

Norny Syafinaz Ab Rahman, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan Pahang

^aDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.

^b Substance Use Disorder Research Group, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.

Che Suraya Zin, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan Pahang

^aDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.

^b Substance Use Disorder Research Group, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia.

Christopher John Turner, Retired but formerly with Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States

^cRetired but formerly with Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States

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