What drives pharmacy students’ motivation, satisfaction, and future career intentions? A nationwide study on sustainable health education in Indonesia

Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Health, Universitas Harapan Bangsa, Purwokerto 53182, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: ikhwanyudakusuma@uhb.ac.id

Abstract

The pharmacy profession plays an important role in healthcare, transitioning from a focus on compounding and administering drugs to comprehensive pharmaceutical care services. This study aimed to explore the motivation, satisfaction, and future career intentions of pharmacy students in Indonesia. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using online questionnaire among pharmacy students from the first to seventh semesters, with a total of 155 respondents from 38 Indonesian provinces. The findings revealed that most students were strongly influenced by family and career prospects in their decision to pursue pharmacy. A majority expressed satisfaction with their choice, with 81.9% proud to study pharmacy and 68.4% viewing it as a viable long-term career. Additionally, 90.3% of students showed interest in hospital pharmacy, while 72.1% aspired to work in the pharmaceutical industry or abroad. emphasize the need for enhanced career guidance and educational by curricula improvements to align student expectations with the demands of the profession. The findings highlight the importance of aligning educational programs with student expectations to maintain motivation and satisfaction in the field.