An Analysis of Pharmacy Students’ Social Networking Service Activities and Perceptions Regarding E-Professionalism under the Newly Implemented 6-year Pharmacy Educational System in South Korea

Background: In the transitional period of Korean pharmacy educational system from 4-year to 6-year, it is crucial to provide pharmacy students with a proper training in professionalism in order for them to succeed as future medication experts appropriately prepared for their attitudes and behaviors online as well as off-line. Consequently, it is necessary to comprehend current social networking service (SNS) activities and perceptions of pharmacy students regarding e-professionalism. The aims of this study were to examine the use patterns of SNSs among pharmacy students and assess their perceptions regarding e-professionalism on popular SNSs under the newly implemented 6-year pharmacy educational system in South Korea. Methods: Survey instruments were administered to the first-, second-, and third-year pharmacy students (n=223) of Chosun University in Korea between September and October 2014. Results: Of 210 (94.2%) students who responded to the survey, 72.4% had 2 or 3 SNS profiles. More than 90% of students felt that pharmacy students should be accountable for their unethical or unprofessional behaviors presented on SNSs. Conclusion: Many Korean pharmacy students use SNSs. However, the term “e-professionalism” is relatively new and unfamiliar in Korea. Faculty members and administrators of pharmacy schools in Korea should introduce new issues related with “e-professionalism” to pharmacy students and make them familiar with it before starting to seek pharmacy jobs.