Participating in the Blended Intensive Programme in Clinical Pharmacy at University of Pavia was an invaluable experience that significantly broadened  my understanding of clinical practice.

The online component was well structured and engaging diverse topics such as health literacy, medication use in vulnerable populations (including intellectual disability and older adults), LGBTQIA+ patient care, vaccination services, digital pharmacy, and herb drug interactions. Learning from pharmacists and academics across Dublin, Paris, Vilnius, and Pavia before arriving in person created an excellent foundation and a genuine sense of international collaboration.

However, the in-person week in Italy truly brought the programme to life. Beyond lectures on interesting topics including pharmacogenetics, clinical pharmacy in ICU and paediatrics, medication safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and pharmacoeconomics, I experienced practical clinical work firsthand. Hands on sessions at Collegio Santa Caterina involving lab tests, screening activities, and vaccination services gave me exposure to community pharmacy practice.

Overall, the experience was incredible, and I would highly recommend the programme to other pharmacy students seeking to advance their clinical skills.

Salma Hassan

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