What students say about rural placements and remuneration

Pharmacy students love country pharmacy, a National Australian Pharmacy Student Association (NAPSA) survey shows.

Some 75% of students who went on a rural placement say they’ve been swayed to think about a rural career, according to the survey of around 300 students.

More than 80% of the 100 students who went on a rural placement believe these should be compulsory.

“Interestingly, location issues, accommodation and funding were not factors that adversely affected their placement,” NAPSA says.

Here are four key survey findings:

• 63% of students believe pharmacist remuneration is inadequate and is the biggest issue facing the industry.
• Students are excited by emerging new roles, such as working as a general practice pharmacist.
• More than 60% of students feel like they don't have enough exposure to hospital pharmacy to prepare them for future practice. Yet 44% want to work in the hospital setting.
• Pharmacy students believe Mental Health First Aid accreditation should be required for registration as a pharmacist.

The survey findings are being used to develop new initiatives, which will be announced at the NAPSA Congress in January.