Two final year PharmD students (Raghad and Khawla) of College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University successfully completed their advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) hospital pharmacy rotation in January 2020 at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman (SKMCA). This training is as part of the MOU signed between the Gulf Medical University and SKMCA. The GMU students were very much part of the pharmacy practice activities with the Preceptor Pharmacists encouraging students to learn. On January 27, 2020 they presented a case to pharmacists under the supervision of a Clinical Pharmacist at SKMCA. This is part of the continuing pharmacy education series at SKMCA.
Students were posted in 3 different pharmacies inside SKMCA. As per the students, it was a very useful learning experience being part of a big pharmacy team serving 3 hospitals inside SKMCA. Methods were on the place to manage inventory well, proper drug distribution system, prevention of medication errors and adverse drug events. SKMCA is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Along with improving pharmacy practice related to typical pharmacy operations, students were also following up cases to study and suggest best treatment choices. Students did present cases as part of continuing pharmacy education activities. The case presentation on acute coronary syndrome resulted in active discussions and exchange of pharmacy practice knowledge.
Vice Chancellor for Quality and Global Engagement and Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Prof. Sherief Khalifa commented; Having APPE rotations at advanced healthcare facilities observing international standards of pharmacy practice represents a major quality assurance and enhancement measure in the delivery of our PharmD curriculum at GMU. In addition to SKMCA, our PharmD and Master in Clinical Pharmacy students receive advanced pharmacy practice trainings at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, Hamilton Clinic, Canada, and the University of Saint Joseph, USA. All these experiences serve to enhance their overall pharmacy practice and clinical pharmacy skills, broaden their horizons and internationalize their education enabling them to practice pharmacy anywhere in the world after their graduation.