Survey of Need, Motivation and Restrictions to Pursue Graduate Studies among Pharmacy Students and Pharmacy Graduates from Prince of Songkla University

Abstract

Objective: To explore needs, motivation and restrictions to pursue graduate studies among pharmacy students and graduates from Prince of Songkla University. Methods: The study collected the data on needs, motivation and restrictions to pursue graduate studies by using the questionnaire that the content was validated by expert review and its reliability was tested in a small group of subjects. The questionnaires in head-copy were distributed to all fifth and sixth year pharmacy students in the academic year 2016 (n=291). For pharmacy graduates in the academic year 2015 (n=133), online-questionnaires were employed. Results: 235 students (81.8%) and 55 graduates (41.4%) replied to the questionnaires. Twenty-six students (11.1%) and 11 graduates (20.0%) wanted to study at a graduate level (P=0.54). Twenty-one from 139 students in pharmaceutical sciences track (15.5 %), and 5 from 96 of those in pharmaceutical care track (5.2 %) wanted to pursue graduate studies (P=0.010). While 7 of 36 (19.4%) and 4 of 19 (21.1%) of graduates from pharmaceutical sciences track and pharmaceutical care track, respectively, wanted to further their study (p=0.673). Students rated the programs of study and institutions as the strongest motivating factor for pursuing graduate studies (average score of 4.310.67 from the full score of 5). Graduates rated career advancement as the strongest factor (4.420.71). Major restrictions for students in pursuing graduate studies was the programs not matching their needs and the lack of information for decision making (4.030.80). Major restrictions for graduates was time constraints and workload (4.010.84). Conclusion: The demand for graduate study among graduates and students in pharmaceutical sciences track is higher than that of those in pharmaceutical care. Motivation to pursue the study depends on programs, institutions, career advancement after graduate studies, and the number of years to complete the program. Therefore, additional study is needed to explore the characteristics of the curriculum that are match the needs of stakeholders. There is also a need for continuing communication about the programs of study to increase the number of students at graduate levels in faculty of pharmacy.