Students' Satisfaction with a Web-Based Pharmacy Program in a Re-Regulated Pharmacy Market.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Higher Education
• Distance Learning

Background:

• A web-based Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program was established at Umeå University in 2003 to address pharmacist shortages in Northern Sweden.
• The Swedish pharmacy market was re-regulated in 2009, transitioning from a state monopoly to an open market.
• The impact of this market re-regulation on pharmacy education satisfaction was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess graduate satisfaction with the web-based pharmacy program.
• To identify desired changes in curriculum content and skills.
• To compare satisfaction levels before and after the Swedish pharmacy market re-regulation.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2015 among alumni who graduated between 2006 and 2014.
• Responses from 200 graduates regarding program satisfaction were analyzed.
• Statistical analysis was used to compare satisfaction levels pre- and post-market re-regulation.

Main Results:

• 88% of graduates found their acquired knowledge and skills useful in their current employment.
• Graduates desired more applied pharmacy practice and self-care counselling, and less social pharmacy and histology.
• 82% would choose the program again, and 92% would recommend it.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy graduates reported high satisfaction with the web-based program.
• The re-regulation of the Swedish pharmacy market did not negatively impact program satisfaction.
• Alumni satisfaction and program recommendation rates were higher after the market re-regulation.