Carrido, Darwin, Lorenzo, Carlo Augustin A, Macaldo, Aizel Camille L, Loquias, Monet M
Objective. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, skills and attitude of pharmacy students toward hospital pharmacy internship program in the Philippines. It also aimed to identify the level of participation of students to the different internship activities and determine the governing factors associated with the learning outcomes of hospital pharmacy internship.
Methods. The study utilized a descriptive, correlational research design, using self-administered survey questionnaire as method of data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient were used to analyze the data using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.
Results. Students officially enrolled from the 10 Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (PACOP)–accredited schools participated in the study with an overall response rate of 65.3% (n=261). Students perceived to have gained additional knowledge mostly on drug classification, dosage forms, therapeutic uses, frequency and modes of administration. Communication skills were the most improved skills, while becoming respectful, sensitive and understanding were the most developed attitude. Age also significantly affects skills (p=0.02), while internship activities significantly affect the knowledge (p=0.00), skills (p=0.00) and attitude (p=0.00).
Conclusion. Overall, the students rated their internship experiences positively and perceived that hospital pharmacy internship program was effective in attaining its learning outcomes. Despite limitation of their participation to the different internship activities, students perceived to have acquired additional knowledge, improved skills and developed attitude from their hospital internship.
