[Establishment of a system for early exposure provided by new pharmacists in a hospital]

It is very important for students to undergo early exposure in 6-year pharmaceutical education; through this experience they will understand roles of pharmacists, map out their future career, and increase their motivation for learning. Therefore we had newly recruited pharmacists provide an early exposure program in a hospital. According to the results of a questionnaire survey involving students, educational staff of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the new pharmacists, 99% of the students were satisfied with the program, and their motivation for learning was enhanced. Interestingly, they were more careful regarding their grooming and appearance after completing the program. Educational staff of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences evaluated the new pharmacists and their teaching very positively, and, in turn, the pharmacists assessed an early exposure program in a hospital as significant. Therefore we conclude that the system for early exposure was useful for both students and new pharmacists.