A group of American pharmacy students spent time at Robert Gordon University (RGU) this semester as part of an international exchange agreement with two institutions in the United States.
Students Aaron Garst and Tyler Finocchio from East Tennessee University, and Emily Hoeksema and Brandi Sherbert from the Medical University of South Carolina spent four weeks in Aberdeen working alongside RGU students and observing pharmacy professionals in a variety of settings across Scotland.
It was the students’ first visit to Scotland and they spent time learning about how pharmacy is taught and practiced in the country as well as enjoying a number of activities and visits around the North East and in the Highlands.
Lecturers at RGU’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences organised a number of visits for the students, including trips to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Baird’s Pharmacy in Aberdeen and a sheltered housing complex.
They were also able to spend time at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Community Pharmacy Scotland and Scottish government in Edinburgh as well as a substance abuse out-patient clinic in Glasgow.
The visits were designed to give the students a flavour of pharmacy practice in Scotland and how pharmacists work with patients from across the community.
Aaron said, ‘Pharmacy practice is completely different in the UK compared to the US. We realised straight away that UK pharmacists are able to do more with patients in terms of assessing conditions and advising on medication.
‘However, pharmacists in the US have a more dispensary focused role, especially in retail chain settings. They can be more creative in independent organisations and community settings where they can advise on issues like flu jabs and diabetes management.’
Tyler added, ‘It was interesting to learn that UK pharmacists can specialise in a variety of areas and have more prescribing authority compared to colleagues in the US.
‘While there are several differences between UK and US in regular pharmacy practice, there are also similarities. However, for pain management in the US we tend to go straight to the most powerful drugs and antibiotics then decrease for more targeted and effective drugs according to the condition, but the opposite is true in the UK.
‘It is the same profession though and we’re all aiming to provide the best care for patients.’
Based in Aberdeen, the students highlighted their observational visits as one of the main opportunities for them to learn first-hand about pharmacy practice in Scotland.
Brandi said, ‘The visits were a fantastic experience and gave us a fascinating insight in to pharmacy practice in Scotland. Being at Baird’s Pharmacy was a highlight for me and I was amazed by their robot which automates their drug library and helps pull prescriptions together for patients.’
Emily added, ‘The UK and US have differences in healthcare delivery but face similar challenges such as government funding. We’re very lucky to have extremely high standards of patient care though which has been good to see in the UK which has a strong public health focus.’
As well as the pharmacy elements of their visit to Scotland, the students also enjoyed a number of cultural experiences such as searching for the Loch Ness Monster and Aaron and Tyler enjoyed hill climbing in the Cairngorm National Park.
Dr Ruth Edwards, who helped organise the students’ experience while they were at RGU, said, ‘We are delighted, once again to host students from our partner institutions in the US. Aaron, Tyler, Emily and Brandi have fitted in really well and have been really well supported by RGU MPharm students.
‘This summer we will be sending four of our own MPharm students to Tennessee and South Carolina to experience US pharmacy for themselves.
‘Being able to offer students observational workplace experience to learn about pharmacy practice in other countries is beneficial as important lessons and ideas are shared across borders and around the world which can only help improve patient care.’
