Development of strong cooperation between community pharmacists, hospital pharmacists and pharmacy school faculty members which promotes pharmacists' life long learning and clinical clerkship for pharmacy students

From April 2006, pharmaceutical science departments at Japanese universities switched to a six-year system and the relative weight given to clinical education in pharmaceutical science was given a sharp boost. The model core curriculum created in 2002 emphasizes humanist education and education for communication and is characterized by its commitment to educating students as medical professionals from an early stage. The extended duration of the study period will be used for development of problem-discovering ability and the acquisition of planning and practical abilities for problem-solving. To realize these aims, education based on links with the frontline of medical treatment is necessary and a qualitative improvement in guidance personnel is also desirable. In the Kobe district, volunteers working in pharmacies, hospitals, and universities have come together and formed networks to hold study meetings and undertake and present research. The members of these networks are devoting energies to guiding students in practical work training and at the same time are also undertaking initiatives in the area of lifelong learning for pharmacists. Support for lifelong learning is a mission of the university and Kobe Pharmaceutical University has designed a wide range of programs adapted to learners' needs. From among the learners, new networks will be formed with participation also by volunteers from the local community. In this way, efforts are ongoing to build a new educational structure for the six-year pharmaceutical science course.