Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland

The Pharmacy Education in Europe (PHARMINE) project studies pharmacy practice and education in the European Union (EU) member states. The work was carried out using an electronic survey sent to chosen pharmacy representatives. The surveys of the individual member states are now being published as re...

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Main Authors: Jouni Hirvonen, Outi Salminen, Katariina Vuorensola, Nina Katajavuori, Helena Huhtala, Jeffrey Atkinson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-02-01
Series:Pharmacy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/7/1/21
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author Jouni Hirvonen
Outi Salminen
Katariina Vuorensola
Nina Katajavuori
Helena Huhtala
Jeffrey Atkinson
author_facet Jouni Hirvonen
Outi Salminen
Katariina Vuorensola
Nina Katajavuori
Helena Huhtala
Jeffrey Atkinson
author_sort Jouni Hirvonen
collection DOAJ
description The Pharmacy Education in Europe (PHARMINE) project studies pharmacy practice and education in the European Union (EU) member states. The work was carried out using an electronic survey sent to chosen pharmacy representatives. The surveys of the individual member states are now being published as reference documents for students and staff interested in research on pharmacy education in the EU, and in mobility. This paper presents the results of the PHARMINE survey on pharmacy practice and education in Finland. Pharmacies have a monopoly on the dispensation of medicines. They can also provide diagnostic services. <i>Proviisori</i> act as pharmacy owners and managers. They follow a five-year (M.Sc. Pharm.) degree course with a six-month traineeship. <i>Farmaseutti</i>, who follow a three-year (B.Sc. Pharm.) degree course (also with a six-month traineeship), can dispense medicines and counsel patients in Finland. The B.Sc. and the first three years of the M.Sc. involve the same course. The current pharmacy curriculum (revised in 2014) is based on five strands: (1) pharmacy as a multidisciplinary science with numerous opportunities in the working life, (2) basics of pharmaceutical sciences, (3) patient and medication, (4) optional studies and selected study paths, and (5) drug development and use. The learning outcomes of the pharmacy graduates include (1) basics of natural sciences: chemistry, physics, technology, biosciences required for all the students (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), (2) medicine and medication: compounding of medicines, holism of medication, pharmacology and biopharmaceutics (side-effects and interactions), patient counseling, efficacy and safety of medicines and medication, (3) comprehensive and supportive interactions of the various disciplines of pharmacy education and research: the role and significance of pharmacy as a discipline in society, the necessary skills and knowledge in scientific thinking and pharmaceutical research, and (4) basics of economics and management, multidisciplinarity, hospital pharmacy, scientific writing skills, management skills. In addition, teaching and learning of &#8220;general skills&#8222;, such as the pharmacist&#8217;s professional identity and the role in society as a part of the healthcare system, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving skills, personal learning skills and life-long learning, attitude and sense of responsibility, and communication skills are developed in direct association with subject-specific courses. Professional specialization studies in industrial pharmacy, and community and hospital pharmacy are given at the post-graduate level at the University of Helsinki.
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spelling doaj.art-79551c5048ab46069231ecd7c38aa88c2022-12-22T03:18:51ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872019-02-01712110.3390/pharmacy7010021pharmacy7010021Pharmacy Practice and Education in FinlandJouni Hirvonen0Outi Salminen1Katariina Vuorensola2Nina Katajavuori3Helena Huhtala4Jeffrey Atkinson5Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki Viikinkaari 5 E, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandFaculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki Viikinkaari 5 E, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandFaculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki Viikinkaari 5 E, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandCentre for University Teaching and Learning, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 11, P.O.Box 62, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandFaculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki Viikinkaari 5 E, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandPharmacolor Consultants Nancy, 12 rue de Versigny, 54600 Villers, FranceThe Pharmacy Education in Europe (PHARMINE) project studies pharmacy practice and education in the European Union (EU) member states. The work was carried out using an electronic survey sent to chosen pharmacy representatives. The surveys of the individual member states are now being published as reference documents for students and staff interested in research on pharmacy education in the EU, and in mobility. This paper presents the results of the PHARMINE survey on pharmacy practice and education in Finland. Pharmacies have a monopoly on the dispensation of medicines. They can also provide diagnostic services. <i>Proviisori</i> act as pharmacy owners and managers. They follow a five-year (M.Sc. Pharm.) degree course with a six-month traineeship. <i>Farmaseutti</i>, who follow a three-year (B.Sc. Pharm.) degree course (also with a six-month traineeship), can dispense medicines and counsel patients in Finland. The B.Sc. and the first three years of the M.Sc. involve the same course. The current pharmacy curriculum (revised in 2014) is based on five strands: (1) pharmacy as a multidisciplinary science with numerous opportunities in the working life, (2) basics of pharmaceutical sciences, (3) patient and medication, (4) optional studies and selected study paths, and (5) drug development and use. The learning outcomes of the pharmacy graduates include (1) basics of natural sciences: chemistry, physics, technology, biosciences required for all the students (B.Sc. and M.Sc.), (2) medicine and medication: compounding of medicines, holism of medication, pharmacology and biopharmaceutics (side-effects and interactions), patient counseling, efficacy and safety of medicines and medication, (3) comprehensive and supportive interactions of the various disciplines of pharmacy education and research: the role and significance of pharmacy as a discipline in society, the necessary skills and knowledge in scientific thinking and pharmaceutical research, and (4) basics of economics and management, multidisciplinarity, hospital pharmacy, scientific writing skills, management skills. In addition, teaching and learning of &#8220;general skills&#8222;, such as the pharmacist&#8217;s professional identity and the role in society as a part of the healthcare system, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving skills, personal learning skills and life-long learning, attitude and sense of responsibility, and communication skills are developed in direct association with subject-specific courses. Professional specialization studies in industrial pharmacy, and community and hospital pharmacy are given at the post-graduate level at the University of Helsinki.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/7/1/21pharmacyeducationpracticeFinlandEuropean Union
spellingShingle Jouni Hirvonen
Outi Salminen
Katariina Vuorensola
Nina Katajavuori
Helena Huhtala
Jeffrey Atkinson
Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland
Pharmacy
pharmacy
education
practice
Finland
European Union
title Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland
title_full Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland
title_fullStr Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland
title_full_unstemmed Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland
title_short Pharmacy Practice and Education in Finland
title_sort pharmacy practice and education in finland
topic pharmacy
education
practice
Finland
European Union
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/7/1/21
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AT outisalminen pharmacypracticeandeducationinfinland
AT katariinavuorensola pharmacypracticeandeducationinfinland
AT ninakatajavuori pharmacypracticeandeducationinfinland
AT helenahuhtala pharmacypracticeandeducationinfinland
AT jeffreyatkinson pharmacypracticeandeducationinfinland