SERVICE-LEARNING IN PHARMACY AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF LIMPOPO

AND ZIMBABWE

Star Khoza and Norman Z. Nyazema

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Zimbabwe and Department of Pharmacy, University

of Limpopo, South Africa

THE PHILOSOPHY

The learning process involves two parties – the learner and the instructor.

ObjectiveTo appropriate and assimilate knowledge on the Quality Use of Medicines

Relations to the work to be doneDiffer

The duty bearerThe student is his/her own teacher because learning is self directed

The role of the instructorTo guide, direct or superintend the operations in different environments of the drug/medicines supply chain – from medicineproduction to consumption

THE ENVIROMENT

In which the student involves himself orherself in community activities for personaland academic development consists of:

• The health system – based on the PHC (public) • The University – community oriented policy (UZ)• The classroom – didactic, group discussions and

simulation lab (UL)• The community – which by and large has its own

knowledge, attitude, beliefs and practices as far as health is concerned – COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION is important

THE APPROACH

Pharmacy has four distinct disciplines. Pharmaceutical chemistry Pharmaceutics Pharmacy practice PharmacologyIn class, concepts, theories and ideas are introduced in REAL LIFE (industry, hospital, community pharmacyetc) case studies; - at UZ this still largely fragmented but not completelydisconnected- At UL curriculum now integrated as much as possible

THE APPROACH Cont’dExposure

Voluntary – mainly in the private sectorOrganized at UZ – as rural attachment for 2

weeks (Final yr 40 hrs comm pharmacy) - objective is community diagnosis

Organized at UL – as experiential learning (2 days/wk each semester)- objective to appreciate the drug supply chain

Part of student’s contineous (formative) assessment

THE VERDICT

• Availability of resources (HR, infrastructure, financial etc) determine the approach/best practice followed at the two institutions.

• Relevance judged in hind sight after graduation by many when doing community service (a requirement in both countries)

• Human learning is complex phenomenon – it is all about trial and error and important o review from time to time