Assessing the Perception of Pharmacy Students on Launching a Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Public Health Dual Degree Program in Saudi Arabia: A Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 13; p. 8014
• Main Authors: Badreldin, Hisham A., Bin Saleh, Khalid, Badr, Aisha F., Alhifany, Abdullah, Alowais, Shuroug A., Almohareb, Sumaya N., Alsuhebany, Nada, Alshehri, Abdulmajeed, Alzahrani, Mohammed, Aldwsari, Anas, Aljuhani, Ohoud, Korayem, Ghazwa B., Sulaiman, Khalid Al, Alturki, Allulu, Alhaidal, Hayfa, Ghawaa, Yazeed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 30.06.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Chronic illnesses; Core curriculum; Cross-sectional studies; Drug stores; Feasibility studies; Health education; Medical screening; Perceptions; Pharmacists; Public health; Public health education; Questionnaires; Response rates; Roles; Schools; Students; Workloads; Saudi Arabia; United States > US
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138014

There is a lack of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree programs in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to examine current pharmacy students’ perceptions regarding establishing such a program and the perceived limitations and advantages of pursuing such a degree. We conducted a cross-sectional web-based short survey to assess the feasibility of establishing a PharmD/MPH dual degree program in several randomly selected pharmacy schools in Saudi Arabia. Our cohort consisted of 657 students. Almost 56% were males, and nearly 58% were fourth-year pharmacy students. Close to 85% had a “very well” or “well” understanding regarding the pharmacist’s role in the public health area, and almost 70% stated that they see themselves playing a role in public health as a future pharmacist. Nearly 93% reported that they are either “very likely” or “likely” to enroll in such a program if given the opportunity. Almost 80% felt it would increase their job opportunities. On the other hand, close to 70% felt it would increase workload and stress. This study highlights pharmacy students’ positive perceptions regarding establishing a PharmD/MPH dual degree program in Saudi Arabia. The study results could be utilized as the starting point to propose and establish this program to health education policymakers in Saudi Arabia.