Melissa Loo, PharmD
International APPE Location: Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
My decision to pursue an International APPE was driven by my desire to immerse myself in another culture and explore pharmacy in another country. I strongly believe that international experiences foster more innovation, help people develop a more open mindset, and build stronger life-long friendships and international connections. Due to my decision to fast-track my way through college, I did not have the opportunity to study abroad. Luckily, UTHSC offered a variety of international rotations, and I was fortunate enough to be chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Every day at Hiroshima University Hospital was a new experience. Our hosts did a great job of giving us an immersive, holistic experience of the Japanese healthcare system. At Hiroshima University Hospital, we usually shadowed clinical pharmacists in the morning and spent time in the IV room with compounding pharmacists who worked on parenteral nutrition and chemotherapy in the afternoon. We also observed the workflow of inpatient pharmacies at a variety of hospitals, which varied at each location. Many of the inpatient pharmacies had well-integrated compounding and dispensing machines that I had never seen before in the United States. Throughout the month, we also visited herbal medicine pharmacies, independent pharmacies, distribution centers, and mobile pharmacies. We traveled to other cities such as Kure and Tokyo to present on pharmacy in the United States and learn about pharmacists’ roles at different hospitals, too.
One of my most memorable moments in Japan was when we visited the Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima Hospital & Atomic Bomb Survivors Hospital. During that time, we learned about the role that the Red Cross plays during natural disasters and the history and impact of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. We had the opportunity to tour the hospital and pharmacy, visit the helicopter pad, and pay our respects at an atomic bomb memorial. It was a very meaningful day, learning about the current impact that the hospital has made for the community and the deep history of the past from the locals themselves. Afterwards, the Japanese pharmacy students held a picnic at a local park where we enjoyed the good weather and played badminton while sharing a variety of snacks. It was a simple and heartwarming day filled with cultural exchange and bonding.
Being on an international APPE highlighted the importance of being proactive and engaged. Learning about pharmacy and the healthcare system in another country was eye-opening, as we got to see different approaches and opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacies in Japan. Learning to be an active listener and engaging in all activities regardless of one’s differences really ensures that you get the most out of an experience. By being proactive and curious, you show others that you have a desire to communicate and learn, enhancing the exchange of ideas and culture. In my case, I gained more insight into the operations of the healthcare system in Japan and also built a strong foundation for the life-long friendships and connections that I made.
Pharmacists work with and serve a vast population of people with a variety of cultures and differences. Learning how to expand the reach of pharmacists and strengthen the connections that we make with our patients, regardless of one’s language, background, or beliefs, is an essential part of being an effective pharmacist. This perspective has helped me grow, not only as a pharmacist, but as a person, and I know I will take this with me wherever I practice.
About the International APPE Program
UT Health Science Center College of Pharmacy’s International APPE program allows students have the opportunity to complete their Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) abroad, gaining valuable experience in caring for culturally diverse patient populations. Students may apply for rotations in a variety of international healthcare settings including Ireland, Spain, Thailand, Canada, and Sweden.