Factors Influencing on the choice and Satisfaction of Continuing Education among Pharmacy Students at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Identification of factors affecting the selection Pharmacy field can provide an important step in development and success of students. The present study aimed to determine what factors affect attitude of Pharmacy students at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and their academic satisfaction. This cross-sectional study was planned to undertake a research on all students in pharmacy school at first semester in 1392, a total 247 students). First data were collected using a validity-and-reliability-approved questionnaire and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests such as independent t test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. Based on the mean scores obtained, factors such as “the rate of income and job security” and “Individual talent and ability” were considered as the main reasons for applying in pharmacy field, 4.19 and 4.08 respectively; and “urging by friends and relatives” and “social situation” were the least important factors by means of 3.33 and 3.73, respectively. Students with an average of 4.06 answered with a positive attitude to the question "Would you select the field of pharmacy if you take the exam again?" related to their interest and satisfaction. The results of the study suggest that the “business and economic conditions” can be the most affecting factors on the choice of academic field from Pharmacy students’ viewpoints, by contrast, such tendency in Pharmacy students could have negative consequences for graduates in future.