EHE students with a pharmacist preceptor Do you think your experience would be enriched with a senior pharmacy student?

“Yes. SPEP students are usually eager to teach others, they are available consistently and are far more easy to relate to.”

“Yes, because you get to see the perspective from a senior student, in terms of position/profession. Also some education sessions may be overwhelming and hence to get an SPEP student’s support to help understand the material would be good.”

EHE students with an SPEP or resident mentor Advantages of a student mentor “Relatability … can learn together … knows pharmacy curriculum and therefore, can tailor learning experience to appropriate level … provide suggestions/advice with respect to upper year pharmacy courses.”

“Remembered school and therefore, has accurate assessment of our clinical knowledge.”

“Student perspective was great, the mentor I had was very knowledgeable.”

“Helpful, as was nice to help bridge our experience from school to practical experience.”

“Makes EHE student feel comfortable in a new environment where they do not know everything … gave student a chance to ask questions and seek advice about the pharmacy program, career options in pharmacy and other aspects of the health care industry.”

Disadvantages of a student mentor “Cannot answer every single question.”

“May not have as much clinical knowledge in therapeutic area as a practising pharmacist.”

“They may not be completely confident about all of the duties of a pharmacist in the hospital setting because it is a new experience for them as well.”

EHE = Early Hospital Experience, SPEP = Structured Practical Experiential Program.