Supporting Activities of Pharmaceutical Students at the Great East Japan Earthquake / 社会薬学

ABSTRACT

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, many pharmacy students conducted support activities which was no requirement of pharmacist’s license. Although some pharmacy students reported their activities, there are no studies comprehensively analyzing this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to survey the support activities of pharmacy students and to analyze the corresponding conditions. We conducted personal interviews with 22 pharmacy students involved in the support activities. The questionnaire included items about a student’s general attributes, activities, activity duration, and relevant locations. Further, we analyzed data on their attributes and personal information with respect to the support activities. Data on the activities were classified into 10 categories and evaluated based on pharmaceutical knowledge levels required for the support activities. According to the results of the interviews, the phases of the activities were classified into “sub-acute phase” and “chronic phase.”The relevant locations were medication collection points, shelters, and transit points for medical teams, temporary clinics, and temporary housing. Furthermore, according to the classification of activities by knowledge levels, activities depended on the students’ pharmaceutical knowledge; if they appropriately selected the activities (based on their pharmaceutical knowledge level), they could effectively participate in the support activities. The results of our survey suggest that pharmacy students can assist healthcare professionals, although the relevant activities are limited by the duration and pharmaceutical knowledge.