Relationship between pharmacy students' knowledge about, attitudes toward, and intention to provide pharmacy-based immunization services

The purpose of this study was to examine pharmacy students' knowledge about, attitudes toward, and intention to provide pharmacy-based immunization services (PBIS). Students enrolled in the third professional year of pharmacy school were surveyed using a 30-item survey to assess their knowledge about PBIS, attitude toward PBIS, intention to provide PBIS, and their demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations. Approximately 80% of students felt they had sufficient knowledge/skills to provide PBIS upon graduation; mean knowledge score was 7.12 ± 1.552 (10-point scale) and 58% intended to do so. Statistically significant correlations were found between students' perceived knowledge/skills and their intent to provide PBIS, and between students' attitudes toward PBIS and their intent to provide these services (p < 0.01 for both). Most (79.6%) students felt patients would like for pharmacists to provide immunizations; however, only 34.5% felt physicians approve of pharmacists providing these services. Students' intent to provide PBIS was not correlated with gender, age, or years of pharmacy work experience. Our program can improve preparation of students in this area by expanding education regarding potential barriers to PBIS and strategies to overcome them. It seems critical to ensure that all students are provided with ample opportunities to use these skills across the curriculum to build and maintain confidence in this area.