Dzul
The reference I made to partial training refers to a situation where
two training institutions have combined forces (Pretoria Technikon
and MEDUNSA) to offer a single training programme for students i.e.
the same students attend both institutions). This experiment has
only recently started.
An issue with which we have been involved which has clarified many
issues for those involved in the training institutions and provided
much clearer direction for heads has been the development of
competency standards for entry level pharmacists. This has been
linked to the need to establish exactly what it is that pharmacist
are competent at doing and consequently the need to measure their
performance to assure quality. This exercise, linked to other
related tasks such as registration of qualifications in outcomes
based format has resulted in a lot of introspection about the
curriculum. A process of curriculum review has started throughout
the country which has as its focus the aim of producing a competent
pharmacist.
I am sure that you can imagine the magnitude of the debates that rage
in the tea rooms - but it is a very healthy process and I am
optimistic that the end result will be worth it. For me the most
important lesson has been to realize that my profession is in the
first instance, an educator and educational principles must govern
the decisions that I make.
Good luck
Cheers
Billy
Billy Futter
Associate Professor
Faculty of Pharmacy
Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
email B.Futter@ru.ac.za
phone 046 603 8494
fax 046 636 1205
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