Examination of Clinical Pharmacy Curriculum in Korea and Its Comparison to the U.S. Curriculum

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the 6-year clinical pharmacy curriculum in Korea among 35 schools of pharmacy and to compare the pharmacy practice experience curriculum with the U.S. Methods: Data on the 6-year clinical pharmacy curriculum was collected and analyzed from 35 schools of pharmacy in Korea. Data were collected from each school's website, or through professors in clinical pharmacy or the administrative office, when not available online. Guidance for U.S. clinical pharmacy curriculum was referenced from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. Results: Pharmacotherapy was the only course that was offered in every school of pharmacy with average of $11.5{\pm}2.8$ credit hours offered. Only six subjects were offered in more than half of the schools. Average pharmacy practice experience credit hours in Korea were $1.8{\pm}0.6$, $7.8{\pm}1.5$, $4.9{\pm}1.2$, $3.5{\pm}1.1$, $11.8{\pm}1.2$ in introductory, hospital, community, pharmaceutical industry and administration, and intensified pharmacy practice experience, respectively. While the U.S. required introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) to be conducted in the real pharmacy setting, the IPPE in Korea was conducted as an in-class simulation. The total required hours of IPPEs and APPEs were 1400 hours in Korea and 1740 (300+1440) hours in the U.S. Conclusion: Clinical pharmacy curriculum in Korea is offered through a variety of courses and the pharmacy practice experience curriculum has been adopted by every school of pharmacy. A guidance outlining the major required contents of clinical pharmacy curriculum could help standardize and advance the clinical pharmacy education in Korea.

국내 임상약학 교과과정 현황 및 미국 교과과정과의 비교