A MAJORITY of pharmacy students across Australia believe their studies have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA) National Pharmacy Students Survey (NPSS) reveals.
Students cited factors including, the lack of social interactions with peers, cancellation of practical sessions, the modification of placements and loss of motivation stemming from the crisis, as factors that negatively impacted their studies.
However, others noted that the pandemic had delivered increased access to online materials, while the shift to online learning had allowed them to take on more casual or part-time pharmacy work.
The results of the 2020 NPSS showed students held positive attitudes towards rural placements and future employment, with 81% of those who undertook a rural placement reporting it had positively swayed them to consider rural practice, with 58% of all students reporting that a rural placement should be compulsory.
However concerns remained around access to hospital placements - with two-in-five respondents reporting they did not have adequate exposure to the sector during their training - wages and the continued growth of discounters, were also seen as issues for students.
The survey also found that the majority of students believe that mental health first-aid training should be a requirement to gain registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 11 Jan 21
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