University of Florida: Hikari Maruta (6th year, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy *at the time)

I participated in a four-week clinical rotation at the University of Florida in the United States. I was able to learn directly about the differences between the medical systems in the U.S. and Japan, not only through classroom lectures but also through site visits.

What left the strongest impression on me during the rotation was the difference between the social insurance systems in the U.S. and Japan, and how the roles required of pharmacists differ accordingly. Unlike Japan, the U.S. does not have a public social insurance system, so the scope of insurance coverage and therapeutic drugs vary depending on the insurance company the patient is enrolled with. During a visit to a major pharmacy chain, I was very impressed to see pharmacists not only checking the dosage, duration, and side effects after receiving electronic prescriptions from doctors, but also quickly determining whether the treatment plan was optimal based on the patient's insurance coverage and proposing prescription changes to doctors as necessary. Furthermore, I strongly felt the difference from Japanese pharmacies in that major pharmacy chains have systems in place that emphasize convenience, efficiency, and profitability, such as delivery service pickup systems, drive-thru services, and pharmacy students who have undergone training administering vaccinations. It was an extremely valuable experience to be able to hear directly from pharmacists actually working in the field.

Before the rotation, I vaguely thought that we should emulate the fact that American pharmacists have more authority than Japanese pharmacists. However, through visiting various facilities and having repeated discussions with local pharmacists, I learned the importance of fulfilling the role of a pharmacist in a way that suits the medical system and culture of each country. I felt that it is important to evolve the role of the pharmacist into its optimal form in response to changes in society.

Outside of the rotation, I was able to experience Florida's culture firsthand through watching football games, experiencing the local food culture, and sightseeing at the springs. It was also a very happy event to reunite with exchange students I had interacted with in Japan. I am deeply grateful for having been able to make these kinds of personal connections.

I feel that the experiences and interactions with people gained through this rotation have greatly broadened my perspective as a pharmacy student. Before traveling, I had no experience staying abroad and was anxious about my English skills, but after returning to Japan, I felt a great sense of accomplishment that I was glad I took on the challenge. If anyone is even slightly interested, I definitely want them to give it a try.