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Full Length
Research Paper
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Service learning in pharmacy: Opportunities for student
learning and service delivery
Angeni Bheekie1*, Kenechukwu Obikeze1,
Rafik Bapoo2 and Naushaad Ebrahim2
1Discipline
of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the
Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535 Cape Town,
South Africa.
2Discipline
of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the
Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535 Cape Town,
South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
abheekie@uwc.ac.za.
Tel: + 27 (21) 9592977.
Fax: + 27 (21) 9593407.
Accepted 6 December, 2011.
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Abstract |
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High patient load and understaffing in public
health care facilities preclude the provision of
optimal pharmaceutical services in South Africa.
A Service Learning in Pharmacy (SLIP) programme
for the University of the Western Cape’s final
year pharmacy students was implemented in health
care facilities to assist in service provision.
Students rotated between a pharmacotherapy
(patient-oriented) and pharmaceutical
formulation (product-oriented) activities to
develop skills in prescription analysis,
manufacturing and packaging of hospital
pharmaceuticals. Structured focus group sessions
were held with students and pharmacists to
assess the integrated service learning
experiences. Student feedback was positive, as
the ‘real world’ experiences enabled them to
adapt to intense work pressures, developed a
sense of ‘personal responsibility’ towards
patient health and they were sensitized to
issues of social injustice. Students became
competent in prescription analyses, counseling
on medication use, manufacturing and pre-packing
procedures. Pharmacists fully supported
increased student involvement in the health
services. Service learning in pharmacy schools
is needed to contextualize learning and to
address health care needs in South Africa.
Key words: Pharmacotherapy, pharmaceutical formulation,
undergraduate pharmacy training, public sector healthcare
services, service learning.
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