A community pharmacist from Austria spent two months at Robert Gordon University (RGU) this autumn to gain experience of how pharmacy services are delivered in Scotland.
Iris Reinisch spent time with the university’s School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences in September and October to learn more about the development of community pharmacy practice in the North-east.
The Austrian Government helped fund the visit which saw Iris learn from experts at RGU as well as spending time at NHS 24 and visiting community pharmacies in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
Iris said: “It’s been great to have had the opportunity to spend two months at RGU and learn from the university’s experienced pharmacy lecturers to see how pharmacy is taught and practiced here.
“I’m keen to take back what I’ve learned to Austria. Pharmacy services in Scotland are delivered with an evidence-based approach so the pharmacist has more responsibility for patient therapy.
“This knowledge combined with the Austrian person-centred care approach would be ideal to promote pharmacy services back home.”
Miss Reinisch worked alongside RGU lecturers to learn more about their approach and methods to teaching and practicing pharmacy in the community.
Dr Anita Weidmann, senior pharmacy lecturer at RGU, said: “Iris’s visit this autumn forms part of the schools internationalisation strategy and it’s been great to showcase our facilities and experience as well as exchanging practice experiences in our respective countries.
“We are delighted to share our clinical practice experience with Austrian pharmacists and students, and are looking to expand our relationships with Austrian universities to develop exchanges and other opportunities.
“Iris and her colleagues are trail blazers in driving the clinical aspects of the profession in Austria forward. We are delighted that we have been able to share our experience and practice to support her professional development in the future.”