Isfahan Pharmacists\' Attitude toward the Influence of Dissertation Topics on Job Prospect

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pharmaceutical students have to undertake a research project named dissertation, in the subjects related to their courses. Most of these projects, are not related to service providing in a pharmacy and usually are related to other research areas. Assessment the effect of dissertation on job prospect of graduated pharmaceutical students can be effective in determination of strength and weakness points in the efficacy of this course and can be used for future improvements. In this study we examined the attitude of pharmacists working in the city of Isfahan, Iran on the influence of dissertation topics on their job prospect. METHODS: A self- administered questionnaire which its validity and reliability have been confirmed, was used for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed and collected by the researcher. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, using descriptive and analytic statistical tests. FINDINGS: 104 individuals among pharmacists were assessed. The distribution of the mean of value rate showes that dissertation (value rate: 3.6) can improve the knowledge and research competences of the student, but has the lowest affect ( value rate:2.6) on related responsibilities in a pharmacy. In general, the attitude of participants about the effect of dissertation on their future job, was at moderate range. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that dissertation as a research discipline can have an influence on the research competency of graduated pharmaceutical students but its effect on service providing in a pharmacy should be more studied. If the subjects of dissertations are more directed toward the future jobs of the students, it will be expected to have more effect on their future activities.