Learning activities (LAs) regarding direct patient care in the ward are an important part of the pharmacy school education to enhance professional competency. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy students’ satisfaction with the quality of hospital pharmacy practice experience has decreased, and there is limited study on the status of LAs regarding the direct patients care in hospitals. Therefore, this study aims to determine the current status of direct patients care LAs and their barriers to ensure level and consistency of education. Method: A survey study was conducted among pharmacists in charge of student education about the status of direct patients care LAs in their hospitals by using survey questionnaires in 2024. This survey questions consisted of dichotomous questions, expressed as percentages. Results: Among 26 hospitals, 88.5% (n=23) responded.71.4% (5 cases) of tertiary hospitals with more than 1,000 beds conducted direct inpatient care LAs. 33.3% (3 cases) of general hospitals with 700-300 beds conducted direct patient care LAs. The lowest direct patient cares LAs (16.7% versus 9.1%) was antimicrobial stewardship intervention in two types of hospitals. Overall, the level of direct patient cares LAs in the ward was not consistent between two types of hospitals. The major barrier to the implementation of direct inpatient cares LAs in both types of hospitals was the lack of pharmacists. Conclusion: This result sheds light on the importance of developing new strategies for training programs in the ward and ensuring level and consistency in learning approach.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

Learning activities (LAs) regarding direct patient care in the ward are an important part of the pharmacy school education to enhance professional competency. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy students’ satisfaction with the quality of hospital pharmacy practice experience has decreased, and there is limited study on the status of LAs regarding the direct patients care in hospitals. Therefore, this study aims to determine the current status of direct patients care LAs and their barriers to ensure level and consistency of education. Method: A survey study was conducted among pharmacists in charge of student education about the status of direct patients care LAs in their hospitals by using survey questionnaires in 2024. This survey questions consisted of dichotomous questions, expressed as percentages. Results: Among 26 hospitals, 88.5% (n=23) responded.71.4% (5 cases) of tertiary hospitals with more than 1,000 beds conducted direct inpatient care LAs. 33.3% (3 cases) of general hospitals with 700-300 beds conducted direct patient care LAs. The lowest direct patient cares LAs (16.7% versus 9.1%) was antimicrobial stewardship intervention in two types of hospitals. Overall, the level of direct patient cares LAs in the ward was not consistent between two types of hospitals. The major barrier to the implementation of direct inpatient cares LAs in both types of hospitals was the lack of pharmacists. Conclusion: This result sheds light on the importance of developing new strategies for training programs in the ward and ensuring level and consistency in learning approach.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

Learning activities (LAs) regarding direct patient care in the ward are an important part of the pharmacy school education to enhance professional competency. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy students’ satisfaction with the quality of hospital pharmacy practice experience has decreased, and there is limited study on the status of LAs regarding the direct patients care in hospitals. Therefore, this study aims to determine the current status of direct patients care LAs and their barriers to ensure level and consistency of education. Method: A survey study was conducted among pharmacists in charge of student education about the status of direct patients care LAs in their hospitals by using survey questionnaires in 2024. This survey questions consisted of dichotomous questions, expressed as percentages. Results: Among 26 hospitals, 88.5% (n=23) responded.71.4% (5 cases) of tertiary hospitals with more than 1,000 beds conducted direct inpatient care LAs. 33.3% (3 cases) of general hospitals with 700-300 beds conducted direct patient care LAs. The lowest direct patient cares LAs (16.7% versus 9.1%) was antimicrobial stewardship intervention in two types of hospitals. Overall, the level of direct patient cares LAs in the ward was not consistent between two types of hospitals. The major barrier to the implementation of direct inpatient cares LAs in both types of hospitals was the lack of pharmacists. Conclusion: This result sheds light on the importance of developing new strategies for training programs in the ward and ensuring level and consistency in learning approach.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

Learning activities (LAs) regarding direct patient care in the ward are an important part of the pharmacy school education to enhance professional competency. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy students’ satisfaction with the quality of hospital pharmacy practice experience has decreased, and there is limited study on the status of LAs regarding the direct patients care in hospitals. Therefore, this study aims to determine the current status of direct patients care LAs and their barriers to ensure level and consistency of education. Method: A survey study was conducted among pharmacists in charge of student education about the status of direct patients care LAs in their hospitals by using survey questionnaires in 2024. This survey questions consisted of dichotomous questions, expressed as percentages. Results: Among 26 hospitals, 88.5% (n=23) responded.71.4% (5 cases) of tertiary hospitals with more than 1,000 beds conducted direct inpatient care LAs. 33.3% (3 cases) of general hospitals with 700-300 beds conducted direct patient care LAs. The lowest direct patient cares LAs (16.7% versus 9.1%) was antimicrobial stewardship intervention in two types of hospitals. Overall, the level of direct patient cares LAs in the ward was not consistent between two types of hospitals. The major barrier to the implementation of direct inpatient cares LAs in both types of hospitals was the lack of pharmacists. Conclusion: This result sheds light on the importance of developing new strategies for training programs in the ward and ensuring level and consistency in learning approach.

Background: Recently, the employment retention rate (ERR) of hospital pharmacists has been decreasing and there are difficulties inconducting competency-based education (CBE) for pharmacy students. However, there is limited research on the impact of hospital pharmacists ERR on the quality of CBE. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between the employment retention propensity (ERP) and the satisfaction with CBE of pharmacy students for patient consultation on the safe medication use. Method: A survey study was conducted using survey questionnaires of 5th year pharmacy school students who completed Introductory Pharmacy Practice Education from 2023 to 2024. Students’ perceptions of their ERP before graduation and satisfaction with CBE were assessed. This survey questions consisted of a 5-point Lickert scale and multiple-choice questions, expressed as percentages including multiple responses. Results: Among 57 students, 82.5% (n=47) responded. The most important determinant of employment retention was work environment (66.0%), followed by fair salary (59.6%). Compared to the satisfaction with patient consultation education on the safe medication use at tertiary hospitals, the satisfaction at general hospitals was higher (satisfaction: 66.7% at tertiary hospitals versus 80.0% at general hospitals). Overall satisfaction with the quality of CBE over time tended to gradually decline along with a decrease in pharmacists employment retention [satisfaction: 83% in 2019 vs 68% in 2024]. Conclusion Employment retention was positively related to work environment and salary level. Further research is needed to establish the relationship between students’ satisfaction with the CBE and the ERP for the future pharmacists.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The disruption of cholesterol efflux or reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in peripheral tissues and macrophages may promote atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to examine whether bioactive ellagic acid, a functional food component, improved RCT functionality and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in diet-induced atherogenesis of apolipoproteins E (apoE) knockout (KO) mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE KO mice were fed a high-cholesterol Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and concomitantly received 10 mg/kg ellagic acid via gavage. RESULTS: Supplying ellagic acid enhanced induction of apoE and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G1 in oxidized LDL-exposed macrophages, facilitating cholesterol efflux associated with RCT. Oral administration of ellagic acid to apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet improved hypercholesterolemia with reduced atherogenic index. This compound enhanced the expression of ABC transporters in peritoneal macrophages isolated from apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet, indicating increased cholesterol efflux. Plasma levels of cholesterol ester transport protein and phospholipid transport protein involved in RCT were elevated in mice lack of apoE gene, which was substantially reduced by supplementing ellagic acid to Paigen diet-fed mice. In addition, ellagic acid attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in apoE KO mice, evidenced by staining of hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Furthermore, the supplementation of 10 mg/kg ellagic acid favorably influenced the transcriptional levels of hepatic LDL receptor and scavenger receptor-B1 in Paigen diet-fed apoE KO mice. CONCLUSION Ellagic acid may be an athero-protective dietary compound encumbering diet-induced atherogenesis though improving the RCT functionality.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Atherosclerosis particularly due to high circulating level of low-density lipoprotein is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases. Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenolic compound rich in pomegranates and berries. Our previous study showed that ellagic acid improved functionality of reverse cholesterol transport in murine model of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ellagic acid inhibited inflammation-associated atherosclerotic plaque formation in cholesterol-fed apolipoprotein E (apoE)-knockout (KO) mice.MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE-KO mice were fed a cholesterol-rich Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce severe atherosclerosis. Concurrently, 10 mg/kg ellagic acid was orally administered to the apoE-KO mice. Plaque lesion formation and lipid deposition were examined by staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Sudan IV and oil red O. RESULTS: The plasma leukocyte profile of cholesterol-fed mice was not altered by apoE deficiency. Oral administration of ellagic acid attenuated plaque lesion formation and lipid deposition in the aorta tree of apoE-KO mice. Ellagic acid substantially reduced plasma levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule and interferon-γ in Paigen diet-fed apoE-KO mice.When 10 mg/kg ellagic acid was administered to cholesterol-fed apoE-KO mice, the levels of CD68 and MCP-1 were strongly reduced in aorta vessels. The protein expression level of nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) in the aorta was highly enhanced by supplementation of ellagic acid to apoE-KO mice, but the expression level of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the aorta was reduced. Furthermore, ellagic acid diminished the increased aorta expression of the inflammatory adhesion molecules in cholesterol-fed apoE-KO mice. The treatment of ellagic acid inhibited the scavenger receptor-B1 expression in the aorta of apoE-KO mice, while the cholesterol efflux-related transporters were not significantly changed. CONCLUSION These results suggest that ellagic acid may be an atheroprotective compound by attenuating apoE deficiency-induced vascular inflammation and reducing atherosclerotic plaque lesion formation.