[Training of pharmacists in the assessment of vital signs using human subjects for the purpose of better pharmacist-patient communication].

Since 2005, the Japanese pharmacy education program has changed to a six year-system from a four year-system with the aim to help students obtain a higher level of clinical knowledge and skill regarding humanity and morality. Under the new pharmacy education system, the correct assessment of vital signs is observed in pharmacy practice so that pharmacists can sell "over the counter drugs (OTC)" safely. From this point of view, we started a pharmacy practice that recognizes a series of vital signs, i.e., blood pulse, blood pressure, respiratory sound, and electrocardiogram, using a physical figure subjecting to 4th-year students (n=142) . After the practice, a questionnaire was conducted in order to assess the satisfaction of the practice. The results suggested that students could successfully learn physical assessment by using physical figures (ratios more than grade 4: 60%). Students could also evaluate the necessity of physical assessment (ratios more than grade 4: 70%), suggesting the practice of using physical figures was accepted by most students.