Frances Owusu-Daaku1, Felicity Smith, Rita Shah. 1. Department of Clinical and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana. owusudaakus@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A lack of skilled health professionals, and net migration from developing to more developed countries, are widely recognised as barriers to the delivery of effective health care. However, few studies have investigated this issue from the perspective of pharmacists, although they are increasingly viewed as a potentially valuable and underexploited health care resource. The objectives of this study were to examine the professional aspirations and perceived opportunities of final year pharmacy students in a developing country; and consider what developments may encourage them to remain in, and contribute to, health care in their home country. METHOD: Final year pharmacy students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana, were randomly selected and invited to participate in in-depth interviews. These were audio-recorded (with permission of respondents) and transcribed verbatim to enable a qualitative analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: professional aspirations, and perceived opportunities and barriers to their achievement in Ghana and abroad. Results Participants viewed themselves, and wished to be viewed by others, as health professionals. They described a commitment to applying their clinical knowledge and to education beyond their first degree. However, they identified significant barriers to the achievement of professional aspirations in Ghana, which would diminish their opportunities to contribute to health care. Whilst most students expressed the expectation or desire to travel at some point, usually early, in their career, they all demonstrated a commitment to their country and stated a wish to return. CONCLUSION: Overall the study highlighted prospective pharmacists in Ghana as ambitious, committed potential health professionals. The study indicates that a lack of attention by policy makers and professional bodies to ways of exploiting the contribution of pharmacists to public health, may represent a lost potential human resource for health in developing countries.
OBJECTIVE: A lack of skilled health professionals, and net migration from developing to more developed countries, are widely recognised as barriers to the delivery of effective health care. However, few studies have investigated this issue from the perspective of pharmacists, although they are increasingly viewed as a potentially valuable and underexploited health care resource. The objectives of this study were to examine the professional aspirations and perceived opportunities of final year pharmacy students in a developing country; and consider what developments may encourage them to remain in, and contribute to, health care in their home country. METHOD: Final year pharmacy students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana, were randomly selected and invited to participate in in-depth interviews. These were audio-recorded (with permission of respondents) and transcribed verbatim to enable a qualitative analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: professional aspirations, and perceived opportunities and barriers to their achievement in Ghana and abroad. Results Participants viewed themselves, and wished to be viewed by others, as health professionals. They described a commitment to applying their clinical knowledge and to education beyond their first degree. However, they identified significant barriers to the achievement of professional aspirations in Ghana, which would diminish their opportunities to contribute to health care. Whilst most students expressed the expectation or desire to travel at some point, usually early, in their career, they all demonstrated a commitment to their country and stated a wish to return. CONCLUSION: Overall the study highlighted prospective pharmacists in Ghana as ambitious, committed potential health professionals. The study indicates that a lack of attention by policy makers and professional bodies to ways of exploiting the contribution of pharmacists to public health, may represent a lost potential human resource for health in developing countries.
Authors: Amy Hagopian; Anthony Ofosu; Adesegun Fatusi; Richard Biritwum; Ama Essel; L Gary Hart; Carolyn Watts Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2005-10 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Barbara Stilwell; Khassoum Diallo; Pascal Zurn; Marko Vujicic; Orvill Adams; Mario Dal Poz Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2004-09-13 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Linda Kupfer; Karen Hofman; Raya Jarawan; Jeanne McDermott; Ken Bridbord Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2004-09-13 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Claire Anderson; Ian Bates; Diane Beck; Tina Penick Brock; Billy Futter; Hugo Mercer; Mike Rouse; Sarah Whitmarsh; Tana Wuliji; Akemi Yonemura Journal: Hum Resour Health Date: 2009-06-05