University of Florida: Hirari Aoki (6th Year, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy *at the time)

I completed a clinical rotation of approximately one month at the University of Florida in the United States. During my time there, I visited various facilities including hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and research institutions, and also participated in classes and practical training at the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Through the rotation, I was strongly impressed by the breadth of the pharmacist's professional scope. Pharmacists were performing tasks that are basically handled by doctors in Japan, such as administering vaccinations, conducting flu and COVID-19 tests, and measuring blood pressure and blood glucose levels. I was also surprised to see that students were learning these techniques in class and practicing them as part-time jobs in pharmacies. Furthermore, in hospitals and clinics, pharmacists spent a long time counseling patients and were deeply involved in optimizing drug therapy for each individual. Seeing pharmacists fulfill such diverse roles made me feel the potential for expanding the professional scope in Japan as well.

Exposure to differences in healthcare systems and culture was also a significant learning experience. In particular, the difference in insurance systems was substantial; in the U.S., there were situations where treatment options changed depending on the insurance the patient was enrolled in, which made me realize the positive aspects of the Japanese insurance system once again. Additionally, the practices of compliance packaging (one-dose packaging) and the use of medication notebooks, which are taken for granted in Japan, did not exist in the U.S., and I felt these are initiatives rooted in Japanese culture and national character. By living there and interacting with many people, including pharmacists and pharmacy students, I was able to experience firsthand the background surrounding the medical environment, such as healthcare policy, culture, and national character.

Outside of the rotation, I had a wonderful time reuniting in Florida with exchange students I had met in Japan and having meals with local students. Watching a football game was a precious experience that can only be had there, as I was surrounded by the excitement and sense of unity of the entire stadium.

Before participating in the rotation, I felt some anxiety about leaving Japan for a month and whether I could adapt to the local environment. However, thanks to the warm support of the professors and students, I had such a fulfilling and enjoyable time that the month seemed to fly by. There were many things to learn that could only be gained through this rotation, and I feel from the bottom of my heart that I am glad I took on the challenge. I would definitely encourage anyone who has even a slight interest to give it a try.