The Employment Retention Propensity and Satisfaction with Competency-based Education of Pharmacy Students Prior to Graduation at Medical Institutions: A Survey-based Study

Background:Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties in conducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students.However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE.Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use.Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024.Students' perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed.This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses.Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded.The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%).Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals).Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024].Conclusion: Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level.Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students' satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.