The Challenges of Pharmaceutical Education in Canada

Introduction

Pharmaceutical education is a crucial aspect of the healthcare industry, ensuring that pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective medication therapy management. In Canada, pharmaceutical education faces several challenges, including the high cost of traditional education methods (ranging from $17,000 - $170,000 CAD), limited access to practical training opportunities, and a shortage of qualified instructors. However, virtual reality (VR) technology offers a promising solution to these challenges and has the potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical education.

High Costs for Schooling

One of the significant challenges facing pharmaceutical education in Canada is the high cost of traditional education methods. With the increasing demand for pharmacy education, the cost of tuition has skyrocketed, ranging between $130,000 - $170,000 CAD for a 4-year Bachelor in Pharmacy program and $17,000 - $63,000 for a Masters or PharmD program [1], making it challenging for many students to afford. Additionally, students have to purchase expensive textbooks and materials, costing about $300-$600 CAD per year, which can significantly increase their education costs while having been proven to be a less effective teaching method compared to VR technology [2, 3]. Textbooks are one-dimensional, they don’t allow for students to visualize a difficult scenario, go through the process of making critical decisions, and learn how to handle complex situations first-hand [3], all of which can be done numerous times, in varying environments, with VR technology. VR technology offers a cost-effective solution to the challenges of education cost. By investing in VR technology, students can access high-quality educational materials at a fraction of the cost of traditional education methods.

Limited On The Job Training

Another challenge of pharmaceutical education in Canada is limited access to practical training opportunities. Many pharmacy students find it challenging to get practical training opportunities due to the limited number of clinical sites available. VR technology can provide a solution to this problem by offering virtual training simulations that mimic real-life clinical scenarios that are practiced in pharmacy curriculum today. This includes, but is not limited to: patient interviewing and history-taking, skills for implementation and monitoring of a pharmacotherapy plan, pharmacotherapy laboratories, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics [4]. These simulations can allow students to practice their skills in a safe, controlled environment without the need for a physical clinical site. Doing so has been proven to significantly benefit students by providing the equipment, facilities, and resources needed to build complex simulations. 

Shortage of Qualified Experts

Finally, there is a shortage of qualified instructors in the field of pharmaceutical education in Canada, with only 10 accredited schools in the country [5]. With the increasing demand for pharmacy education, there is a need for more qualified instructors to teach the next generation of pharmacists [6]. VR technology can provide a solution to this challenge by allowing students to access virtual lectures and lessons from qualified instructors from anywhere in the world. This approach can also help to address the problem of instructor bias, as students can access a diverse range of instructors from different backgrounds and cultures. 

Conclusion

VR technology offers a promising solution to the challenges facing pharmaceutical education in Canada. By leveraging VR technology with multi-device support, such as VRARRI’s, pharmaceutical educators can provide cost-effective education, increase access to practical training opportunities, and provide access to qualified instructors. As VR technology continues to evolve and become more widely available, it has the potential to revolutionize the field of pharmaceutical education and improve the quality of care for patients in Canada and beyond.

Sources:

1. Akanksha. (2020, December 29). Bachelors in Pharmacy in Canada: Deadlines, Colleges, Fees 2023, Jobs and Salaries. Collegedunia. Retrieved May 25, 2023, from https://collegedunia.com/canada/article/bachelors-in-pharmacy-in-canada-top-colleges-admissions-fees-scholarships-scope

2. Zhao, J., Xu, X., Jiang, H., & Ding, Y. (2020, April 25). The effectiveness of virtual reality-based technology on anatomy teaching: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Medical Education, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-1994-z

3. Wicklund, E. (2022, September 30). Virtual Reality Replaces the Textbook as a Provider Education Tool. HealthLeaders. Retrieved May 25, 2023, from https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/innovation/virtual-reality-replaces-textbook-provider-education-tool 

4. Korayem, G. B., Alshaya, O. A., Kurdi, S. M., Alnajjar, L. I., Badr, A. F., Alfahed, A., & Cluntun, A. (2022, July). Simulation-Based Education Implementation in Pharmacy Curriculum: A Review of the Current Status. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, Volume 13, 649–660. https://doi.org/10.2147/amep.s366724 

5. Austin, Z., & Ensom, M. H. (2008, September). Education of Pharmacists in Canada. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 72(6), 128. https://doi.org/10.5688/aj7206128

6. Ojalumo, R. (2022, November 7). Pharmacy Future Threatened by Increasing Shortage of Qualified Lecturers. Pharmanews. Retrieved May 25, 2023, from https://pharmanewsonline.com/pharmacy-future-threatened-by-increasing-shortage-of-qualified-lecturers/