University of North Carolina, Erika Kimura (6th year, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy *at the time)

I completed a four-week hospital clerkship at the University of North Carolina Hospitals. During the clerkship, I was able to observe not only the hospital Department of Pharmacy but also various medical teams, such as the pediatric team and various ICU teams. This allowed me to learn not only about the duties of a hospital pharmacist but also about how pharmacists interact with other professions.

During the medical team rounds, I observed the entire team visiting the patient's bedside to discuss future treatment plans with the patient. While patient opinions are also valued in Japan, I felt that the patient-first approach was more thoroughly implemented in the United States.

Additionally, electronic prescriptions are widely used in the United States, and I realized how efficiently tasks are performed through the use of IT, with pharmacists verifying the safety and appropriateness of prescriptions on a computer before technicians dispense them. As electronic prescriptions are also being introduced in Japan, this experience prompted me to think about future changes in Japanese medical settings.

On the other hand, I learned that because the United States does not have a universal health insurance system like Japan's, there are differences in the medical care patients can receive depending on their income and other factors. This also became an opportunity to reaffirm the excellent aspects of Japan's medical system.

On days off from the clerkship, I was able to experience American culture firsthand by interacting with students from the University of North Carolina and visiting local supermarkets and pharmacies. I was very happy that the students treated me as a friend, taking me to a baseball game and inviting me to a home party, and it remains a cherished memory.   

Of course, there were challenges, such as preparing for the clerkship while also working on my graduation research and having discussions in English using technical terms, but I gained an incredibly valuable experience that could only be had through this clerkship.

I had no experience abroad and was anxious about my language skills and communication during the clerkship, but with the cooperation of those around me, I was able to complete it successfully. If you are interested but have similar anxieties, I encourage you to take on the challenge with a positive attitude.