Status and problems of humanities education with respect to pharmacy education

In 2006, a model core curriculum in pharmaceutical studies was developed prior to the outset of the 6-year pharmacy degree. In the 10 years that followed, medical care and life science technology has progressed, pharmaceutical laws have been revised, and the responsibilities of pharmacists have increased. In response to such social changes and needs, the Model Core Curriculum for Pharmacy education was revised in December 2013. In order to play an active role as a pharmacist in any medical workplace, it is important for pharmacy students to develop their communication skills and attitudes in order to foster the trust of their patients and other medical professionals. In the new Model Core Curriculum, education in the humanities is clearly described as a foundation to pharmaceutical education, which pertains to the clinical role of a pharmacist; hence, each pharmacy school has outlined strategies for students to learn bioethics and medical ethics, and to develop communication skills. Today, although the importance of humanities education is rapidly increasing, it is difficult to immediately evaluate the outcome of learning humanities subjects and communication. Such an evaluation requires a longer-term perspective. This paper describes the status and problems of humanities education as a component of pharmacy education, and considers future directions of research in humanities education with respect to pharmacy education.