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Lifelong Learning: Views of Australian Pharmacy Interns
Author(s) -
Stupans Ieva
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2012.tb00127.x
Subject(s) - lifelong learning , pharmacy , continuing professional development , medicine , thematic analysis , medical education , professional development , experiential learning , continuing education , pharmacist , pedagogy , psychology , nursing , qualitative research , sociology , social science
Background Lifelong learning is critical for the professional practice of pharmacists. Lifelong learning can be described as a philosophy recognising that learning occurs throughout one's life. Pharmacists' concept of lifelong learning has not been investigated, with most literature focused only on one aspect of lifelong learning – continuing professional development. Aim To explore pharmacy interns' understanding of lifelong learning. Method Thematic analysis of interviews with interns from an Australian university was undertaken Results There were 2 major findings. The very narrow definition of lifelong learning adopted by the interns, i.e. it was viewed as continuing professional development and the need to keep up‐to‐date. The intern period was described as a period of intense learning. Conclusion Pharmacy interns appear to be focused on continuing professional development rather than lifelong learning. This may reflect disciplinary contextualisation of university graduate attributes or the focus of activity during the intern period.