Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Pharmacy Student Blogs for International Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Objective. The primary objective of this study was to gain an understanding of student pharmacist learning that occurs during international advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs). The secondary objective was to direct the development of suitable predeparture orientation activities for pharmacy students.Methods. University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy students authored blogs between 2012 and 2019 describing patient care and non-patient care international APPEs. This study utilized inductive thematic analysis to analyze the blogs and define codes, categories, and themes from the data set. The entire data set was used to generate changes to an orientation program delivered to students before they study abroad (predeparture orientation).Results. The analysis included 47 blogs from which seven pictorial codes and 24 text codes were isolated to ultimately form four categories: Learning About Health Care; My Surroundings; Logistics; and Me, Myself, and I. Two overall themes emerged from the codes and categories: Everything Is Different and Here's What I Think and Feel. Through examining the data and reviewing other studies focusing on study abroad experiences, the results indicate that the themes isolated in this study parallel previously described benefits of studying abroad. Additionally, analysis of the blogs suggested that expanding the predeparture orientation for students and including follow-up discussions may facilitate student understanding prior to travel.Conclusion. This study gives unique insight into thoughts and the relative importance of pharmacy students' experiences while studying abroad. The resulting data, considered along with previously published studies, can guide educators in refining predeparture materials. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of revised predeparture orientation.