Assessment of Pharmacy Students' Willingness to Practice after Graduation

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Date
2011
Authors
Joda, A.E.
Nwaokomah, S.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
West African Journal of Pharmacy
Abstract
Background: Emigration of pharmacists is a problem in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: To identify if the tendency to emigrate (internal and external) is already determined during the undergraduate training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the four faculties of pharmacy in Southwestern Nigeria. A sample of 200 to 400 Level students in the Faculty in Lagos was also surveyed. Pretested questionnaires with mainly Likert-type questions were administered to the target population. Results: It was found that an average 70% of final year students surveyed expressed a willingness to practice after graduation (74%, 54%, 75% and 76% in Unilag, UI, OAU and OOU respectively) while 55.3% of the Junior Undergrads expressed a willingness to practice the profession, post graduation. The results also revealed that the final year respondents believe that pharmacists in practice are not fulfilled (79%, 55%, 73% and 71% in Unilag, UI, OAU and OOU respectively). 23.3% of the Junior Undergraduates also have this belief Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that pharmacy students are willing to practice the profession after graduation either within or outside the country. The study recommends motivation of pharmacists and review of the academic curriculum.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Brain drain , Pharmacy Education , Pharmacy Practice , Human Capital Flight , Health care personnel , Students , Undergraduate Students , Research Subject Categories::PHARMACY
Citation
Joda, A.E. and Nwaokomah, S.O. (2011). Assessment of Pharmacy Students' Willingness to Practice after Graduation. West African Journal of Pharmacy, 22 (1):82-90